The Dispatch

Roadside industry
insights & guides

Expert resources for dealerships, fleets, and tow companies building better roadside operations.

FeaturedDealership Guide10 min read

How to Set Up Roadside Assistance for Your Dealership (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Stop relying on expensive motor club contracts. Set up your own dealership roadside assistance program in 48 hours — with GPS tracking, transparent pricing, and operators who actually show up.

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Dealership Guide·10 min read

How to Set Up Roadside Assistance for Your Dealership (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Stop relying on expensive motor club contracts. Set up your own dealership roadside assistance program in 48 hours — with GPS tracking, transparent pricing, and operators who actually show up.

Pricing Guide·18 min read

How Much Does a Tow Cost in 2026? ($75 to $300+ Pricing Guide)

A standard local tow in 2026 runs $75 to $150 for the first 5 to 10 miles, but that national average hides a lot of variation. Your state, your vehicle type, the time of day, and whether you're using AAA or paying out of pocket all change the final number. This guide has everything. Real numbers, state breakdowns, insurance coverage, and how not to get ripped off.

Comparison·8 min read

Motor Club vs. Dispatch Software: Which Is Right for Your Business? (2026)

Motor clubs pay operators $35–55 per job. Dispatch software pays 2x more. See how dealerships and fleets are cutting costs and keeping operators happy in 2026.

Thought Leadership·8 min read

Why Dealerships Are Building Their Own Motor Clubs

Forward-thinking dealerships are replacing motor club contracts with self-managed dispatch networks — cutting costs, improving service quality, and turning towing from a cost center into a competitive advantage. See how <a href='/the-dispatch/how-towmarx-helps-independent-towers-compete'>TowMarX helps independent towers compete</a> with larger fleets.

Comparison·7 min read

Towbook vs. TowMarX: Feature Comparison for Towing Dispatch in 2026

A detailed comparison of Towbook and TowMarX for towing dispatch — covering pricing, network features, driver management, and which platform fits different business types.

Dealership Guide·9 min read

The True Cost of Roadside Assistance for Dealerships

Beyond the monthly invoice — the real costs of roadside assistance include wasted advisor time, disputed charges, undocumented damage claims, and lost customer trust. Here's how to calculate yours.

Entrepreneur Guide·14 min read

How to Start a Towing Dispatch Business with Zero Trucks

You don't need a tow truck to make money in towing. You need a dispatch platform, a phone, and some hustle. This is the full playbook. Real numbers, the legal setup, the scripts that work, and the parts other guides leave out.

Entrepreneur Guide·9 min read

How to Build a Roadside Assistance Network from Scratch (2026 Playbook)

The exact playbook for building your own roadside assistance network — from recruiting your first tow operator to managing 50+ providers and turning it into a real revenue stream.

Entrepreneur Guide·9 min read

How to Make Money in Towing Without Owning a Tow Truck

The towing industry generates $13 billion annually — and you don't need a truck to claim your share. Here's how dispatch entrepreneurs are building profitable businesses as the middleman between clients and operators.

Comparison·9 min read

AAA vs. Building Your Own Roadside Network: A Cost and Control Comparison

AAA has dominated roadside assistance for over a century. But for businesses dispatching towing regularly, building your own network with a dispatch platform is cheaper, faster, and gives you complete control.

Comparison·8 min read

Honk vs. TowMarX: Which Dispatch Platform Is Right for You?

A detailed comparison of Honk and TowMarX for roadside dispatch — covering business models, pricing, network features, and which platform fits tow companies, dealerships, and dispatch entrepreneurs.

Industry Guide·8 min read

What Is Tow Dispatch Software? Everything You Need to Know

Tow dispatch software has transformed how towing companies manage calls, drivers, and jobs. Here is a complete breakdown of what it is, how it works, and why it matters.

Comparison·9 min read

Best Tow Dispatch Software of 2026: Top Platforms Compared

Comparing the top tow dispatch software platforms on the market — features, pricing, and who each one is best for.

Tow Company Guide·8 min read

How to Choose Tow Dispatch Software for Your Towing Business

Not all tow dispatch software is built the same. Here is a practical guide to evaluating your options without getting lost in feature lists.

Pricing Guide·7 min read

Tow Dispatch Software Pricing: What You Will Actually Pay in 2026

Tow dispatch software pricing ranges from free trials to 500-plus per month depending on fleet size and features. Here is what you should actually expect to pay and what to watch out for.

Industry Guide·10 min read

How to Start a Tow Business in 2026: The Complete Guide

The US towing industry is an 11.3 billion dollar market. Here is everything you need to know to launch a profitable tow business in 2026 — from your first truck to your first paying client.

Entrepreneur Guide·15 min read

How to Get Clients for a New Tow Business: The 90-Day Playbook

The first 90 days are the hardest. You have a truck, insurance, and maybe a handful of cards in your pocket. You don't have clients, a reputation, or reviews. This is the playbook that gets you from zero to consistent daily work. Week-by-week tactics, exact scripts, and the client channels most new operators miss.

Comparison·9 min read

TowMarX vs Towbook: Which Tow Dispatch Software Is Right for You?

TowMarX and Towbook are two of the most talked-about tow dispatch platforms for independent and growing operators. Here is an honest comparison of both so you can pick the right one.

Tow Company Guide·9 min read

Why TowMarX Is Built for Independent Tow Operators

The US towing industry is a 11.3 billion dollar market spread across 39,202 businesses with no single company holding more than 5% market share. Yet most dispatch software is built for the enterprise market. There are very little tools out on the market providing solutions for the small business owners. TowMarX was designed specifically for the independent operators who make up and run the majority of the industry.

Industry Guide·6 min read

How Body Shops Use Dispatch Platforms to Manage Towing and Vehicle Intake

A dispatch platform changes how body shops manage accident intake, towing coordination, and vehicle tracking. Here is what the right platform does for a collision center.

Entrepreneur Guide·7 min read

Google Business Profile for Tow Companies: How to Set It Up and Dominate Local Search

Your Google Business Profile is the most important free marketing tool a tow company has. Here is how to set it up correctly and use it to win local search.

Entrepreneur Guide·7 min read

Local SEO for Tow Companies: How to Rank When Someone Searches Near Me

Local SEO determines whether your tow company appears when someone nearby searches for help. Here is how to rank consistently in your service area.

Entrepreneur Guide·7 min read

Google Ads for Tow Companies: How to Run Ads That Generate Calls

Google Ads can generate immediate call volume for tow companies — but poorly managed campaigns waste money fast. Here is how to run tow company ads that actually pay off.

Tow Company Guide·7 min read

Why Most Towing Company Websites Fail to Get Calls

Most tow company sites look outdated, load slowly, and bury the phone number. Here are the biggest mistakes and how to fix them.

Industry Guide·8 min read

What Every Tow Truck Website Needs in 2026

A checklist of must-have features for any towing company website that wants to rank on Google and convert visitors into calls.

Pricing Guide·7 min read

How Much Does a Towing Company Website Cost in 2026

A transparent breakdown of what tow companies actually pay for websites, from free builders to professional services.

Tow Company Guide·9 min read

How to Get Your Towing Company on the First Page of Google

Practical SEO steps for tow truck operators who want to rank higher in local search results and get more calls.

Pricing Guide·7 min read

Free Website Hosting for Tow Companies: What You Need to Know

Most tow companies pay 15 to 30 per month for hosting they do not need. Here is how to host your towing website for free.

Tow Company Guide·7 min read

How to Add Online Booking to Your Towing Company Website

Online booking turns your website from a business card into a revenue tool. Here is how to set it up the right way.

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