A breakdown rarely happens at a convenient time. You might find yourself with a dead battery in Metrotown, a flat tire near Brentwood, or a vehicle that suddenly refuses to move on Kingsway. When that happens, finding a dependable tow truck in Burnaby quickly becomes the priority.
But towing companies are not all the same. Some specialize in basic roadside assistance, while others have the equipment for flatbed towing, accident recovery, heavy-duty vehicles, and more complicated jobs.
To make the search easier, we compared four towing and roadside assistance companies serving Burnaby. We looked at local presence, available services, hours, customer feedback, and the types of towing each company handles.
How We Chose the Best Towing Companies in Burnaby
For this guide, we focused on companies with an established presence in Burnaby and a track record of customer feedback.
Our comparison considered:
- Google ratings and number of customer reviews
- Burnaby location and service coverage
- Emergency and after-hours availability
- Range of towing and roadside services
- Flatbed and vehicle recovery capabilities
- Ability to handle different types of vehicles
- Customer comments about response, communication, and vehicle care
Ratings, review totals, and operating hours can change, so it is always worth checking the company’s current information before calling.
How Much Does Towing Cost in Burnaby?
The cost of towing in Burnaby depends on where your vehicle is located, how far it needs to travel, what type of tow truck is required, and whether additional recovery work is involved.
Published pricing from local Burnaby towing providers suggests that a standard light-duty tow may start with a base or hookup charge of roughly $85 to $110, with distance charges often around $3 to $5 per kilometre. Some companies may also apply fuel surcharges, taxes, after-hours charges, or fees for specialized equipment.
That means even a relatively short local tow can easily cost $100 or more.
| Towing Expense | Typical Local Cost or Pricing Method |
|---|---|
| Basic hookup/base fee | Around $85–$110+ |
| Distance charge | Around $3–$5 per km |
| Short local tow | Often $100–$200+ total |
| Battery boost | Usually less than a full tow |
| Flatbed/special equipment | May cost extra |
| Vehicle recovery/winching | Quoted based on difficulty |
| Heavy-duty towing | Usually requires a custom quote |
These figures should only be used as a general Burnaby towing cost guide. Prices vary significantly between companies and situations.
Before authorizing a tow, ask for an estimate and find out whether the quote includes mileage, taxes, fuel surcharges, special equipment, and travel to your location.
Quick Comparison of the Best Towing Companies in Burnaby
| Rank | Company | Google Rating* | Hours* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mundie’s Towing & Recovery Burnaby | 4.1/5, 668 reviews | 24/7 | Best overall |
| #2 | Able Towing Inc. | 4.9/5, 116 reviews | 6 AM–11 PM | Experience and careful vehicle handling |
| #3 | MS Towing Ltd. | 5.0/5, 76 reviews | 24/7 | Roadside assistance |
| #4 | Canada Towing LTD | 5.0/5, 28 reviews | 8 AM–10 PM | Local and flatbed towing |
*Google ratings, review totals, and listed hours were checked at the time of writing and may change.
1. Mundie’s Towing & Recovery Burnaby — Best Overall
Mundie’s Towing & Recovery Burnaby
6938 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5E 1E6
Phone: (604) 526-9677
Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Google Rating: 4.1/5 from 668 reviews
Mundie’s earns our top spot because it offers much more than a basic tow truck service. For drivers who need dependable Burnaby towing, the company’s combination of 24-hour dispatch, a large fleet, roadside assistance, recovery equipment, and experience with everything from regular cars to large commercial vehicles makes it one of the most complete options in the city.
Mundie’s has been under its current family ownership since the 1970s and has grown into a large full-service towing and recovery operation serving Burnaby and the wider Lower Mainland. That makes it particularly useful when the situation is more complicated than a simple car breakdown.
Services
Mundie’s provides services such as:
- 24-hour emergency towing
- Local and long-distance towing
- Accident towing and vehicle recovery
- Flatbed towing
- Roadside assistance
- Battery boosts
- Flat tire assistance
- Vehicle lockout help
- Parkade and underground towing
- Motorcycle and RV transportation
- Heavy-duty towing and recovery
- Equipment and specialty transportation
Its range of equipment is a major reason Mundie’s ranks first. A standard passenger car, commercial truck, RV, motorcycle, or equipment transport job can require very different towing equipment, and Mundie’s operates across those categories.
What Customers Say
Customer feedback frequently mentions the drivers and dispatch staff. One recent Burnaby customer praised the driver who towed their vehicle to a Honda dealership near Marine Drive, describing the operator as friendly, kind, and helpful throughout the tow.
Another customer who needed emergency towing said the driver arrived promptly and handled the situation efficiently, while other reviews mention drivers taking time to explain the loading process and helping make stressful breakdowns easier to manage.
With hundreds of Google reviews, Mundie’s also has considerably more public customer feedback than the other companies on this list.
2. Able Towing Inc. — Best for Experience and Careful Vehicle Handling
Able Towing Inc.
Salish Ct, Burnaby, BC V3J 7B7
Phone: (604) 849-4433
Hours: 6:00 AM–11:00 PM daily
Google Rating: 4.9/5 from 116 reviews
Able Towing is a strong option for drivers who value experience and careful vehicle handling. The Burnaby towing company says it has served the area since 1986 and provides towing, vehicle recovery, and roadside assistance throughout Burnaby and the Lower Mainland.
One service that stands out is flatbed towing. Able specifically lists luxury, lowered, all-wheel-drive, and classic vehicles among the types of vehicles that may be transported by flatbed. That can make the company worth considering when you are more concerned about careful transportation than simply finding the closest available truck.
Services
Available services include:
- Local towing
- Emergency towing
- Roadside assistance
- Vehicle recovery
- Flatbed towing
- Jump starts
- Tire changes
- Vehicle lockout assistance
Able does not currently advertise around-the-clock hours on its Google profile, so drivers who need a tow very late at night or early in the morning should check availability first.
What Customers Say
Customer feedback commonly mentions professionalism and careful handling. One customer described receiving a fast response during a stressful roadside situation and said the service helped make the experience easier.
Another customer highlighted clear communication during their towing experience, while other feedback mentions drivers being helpful and careful with vehicles. Those themes make Able particularly appealing for Burnaby drivers transporting vehicles that need extra attention.
3. MS Towing Ltd. — Best for 24/7 Roadside Assistance
MS Towing Ltd.
7227 Balmoral St, Burnaby, BC V5E 1J6
Phone: (778) 522-6150
Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Google Rating: 5.0/5 from 76 reviews
Not every roadside problem requires a tow. Sometimes a battery boost, spare tire installation, or a little fuel is enough to get you moving again. That is where MS Towing stands out.
Based in Burnaby, MS Towing operates 24/7 and provides both towing and roadside assistance throughout the Greater Vancouver area. Its service range covers many of the common situations that leave Burnaby drivers stranded without automatically requiring the vehicle to be taken to a repair shop.
Services
MS Towing offers:
- Emergency towing
- Roadside assistance
- Battery jump starts
- Spare tire installation
- Vehicle lockout assistance
- Emergency fuel delivery
- Vehicle recovery
- Junk car removal
The company also works with different vehicle types, including cars, SUVs, motorcycles, trucks, vans, RVs, luxury vehicles, and classic cars.
What Customers Say
Customer testimonials repeatedly mention quick service and professional vehicle handling. One customer praised a driver for being knowledgeable and taking good care of the vehicle during the towing process.
Another described the tow truck response as quick and efficient, while additional feedback mentions fair pricing and helpful customer service.
For someone looking for 24-hour roadside assistance in Burnaby, especially for a dead battery, flat tire, lockout, or similar problem, MS Towing is a practical company to keep in mind.
4. Canada Towing LTD — Best for Local and Flatbed Towing
Canada Towing LTD
5851 Grant St, Burnaby, BC V5B 2K5
Phone: (604) 715-1717
Google Rating: 5.0/5 from 28 reviews
Google-Listed Hours: 8:00 AM–10:00 PM daily
Canada Towing LTD is a smaller local option based on Grant Street in Burnaby. Its services are especially relevant for drivers looking for local towing, roadside assistance, or careful flatbed transportation around Burnaby and neighbouring parts of Metro Vancouver.
The company promotes service around areas including Metrotown, Brentwood, Deer Lake, Burnaby Heights, Lougheed, and Edmonds.
One point worth checking before calling is availability. The company’s online material promotes around-the-clock towing, while its current Google Business Profile lists hours of approximately 8 AM to 10 PM. If you need late-night emergency towing, confirm that a truck is available.
Services and Customer Feedback
Canada Towing handles local towing, vehicle transport, flatbed towing, roadside assistance, battery boosts, lockouts, and other common roadside situations.
Customer feedback gives some useful examples of its work. One driver who became stranded near Kingsway during rush-hour traffic praised the company’s quick response.
Another customer with a lowered vehicle and seized brakes specifically highlighted how carefully the vehicle was handled. A separate roadside assistance customer reported receiving prompt help when a vehicle needed a jump start.
Those experiences make Canada Towing worth considering when you need a local Burnaby tow truck or have a vehicle that may benefit from flatbed transportation.
What to Look for When Choosing a Towing Company in Burnaby
The highest Google rating does not automatically mean a company is the right choice for your situation. Before requesting service, consider a few practical factors.
- Availability: If you are stranded at 2 AM, confirm that the company actually has 24-hour dispatch rather than assuming every towing service operates overnight.
- Type of tow truck: AWD vehicles, EVs, lowered cars, motorcycles, damaged vehicles, and cars inside underground parkades may require different equipment.
- Pricing: Ask about the hookup fee, cost per kilometre, fuel surcharge, after-hours charges, winching fees, and flatbed charges before agreeing to service.
- Location: Traffic around Kingsway, Highway 1, Lougheed Highway, Metrotown, and Brentwood can affect how quickly a truck reaches you.
- Customer feedback: Read the actual comments, not just the star rating. Reviews that discuss the service performed, communication, vehicle handling, and final price are usually more useful than a simple five-star score.
Do You Need Roadside Assistance or a Tow Truck?
A vehicle problem does not always mean you need towing.
| Problem | Roadside Assistance May Be Enough | Towing May Be Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Dead battery | Battery boost | If the vehicle still will not start |
| Flat tire | Spare tire installation | If the wheel is damaged or no usable spare is available |
| Keys locked inside | Lockout service | Usually not |
| Out of fuel | Fuel delivery | Usually not |
| Overheating engine | Usually not | Often |
| Brake failure | No | Yes |
| Transmission failure | No | Usually |
| Collision damage | Depends on damage | Often |
When calling, explain exactly what happened. A dispatcher can determine whether to send a roadside service vehicle, standard tow truck, flatbed, or recovery truck.
What to Do While Waiting for a Tow Truck in Burnaby
Your first priority should be staying safe.
If possible, move the vehicle away from moving traffic and turn on your hazard lights. When contacting the towing company, provide your exact street, intersection, or nearby landmark.
Also tell dispatch your vehicle’s year, make, and model and explain whether it has collision damage, locked wheels, missing keys, or another condition that could make loading difficult.
If your vehicle is stuck in an underground parkade in Metrotown, Brentwood, or another Burnaby condo development, check the posted clearance height. The towing company needs this information to send a truck that can actually enter the building.
For a breakdown along Highway 1 or another high-speed roadway, avoid standing close to moving traffic while attempting repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Towing in Burnaby
How much does a tow truck cost in Burnaby?
Published local rates suggest a standard light-duty tow may have a base fee of roughly $85–$110 plus around $3–$5 per kilometre. Your actual towing cost in Burnaby can be higher depending on vehicle size, distance, recovery work, fuel surcharges, special equipment, and taxes.
Are there 24-hour towing companies in Burnaby?
Yes. Some Burnaby towing companies operate 24 hours a day. Mundie’s Towing & Recovery and MS Towing currently list 24/7 availability. Always confirm current availability when calling, especially during severe weather or periods of unusually high demand.
How long does it take for a tow truck to arrive in Burnaby?
There is no standard response time. It depends on your location, traffic, weather, truck availability, and the equipment you need. Heavy traffic around Kingsway, Metrotown, Lougheed Highway, Brentwood, or Highway 1 can increase waiting times.
Can a towing company help with a dead battery instead of towing my car?
Yes. Many Burnaby roadside assistance companies provide battery boosts. If the vehicle starts normally after the boost, towing may not be necessary. If the vehicle has an alternator, starter, electrical, or mechanical problem and still will not run, it may need to be towed to a repair shop.
Do AWD and electric vehicles need flatbed towing?
It depends on the vehicle and manufacturer requirements. Many AWD, electric, luxury, and low-clearance vehicles are transported on flatbeds to avoid potential drivetrain or body damage. Tell the towing company your exact year, make, model, and drivetrain so it can send appropriate equipment.
Can a tow truck remove a vehicle from an underground Burnaby parkade?
Yes, but the company needs equipment that fits within the building’s height restrictions. Tell dispatch that the vehicle is underground and provide the parkade clearance height. Low-clearance towing can be especially useful around Burnaby’s condo-heavy neighbourhoods such as Metrotown and Brentwood.
Can I tow my car from Burnaby to Vancouver or another city?
Yes. Many Burnaby towing companies provide transportation to Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey, and other Lower Mainland communities. Because towing costs are often partly based on kilometres travelled, ask for a complete estimate before arranging a longer-distance tow.
Finding the Right Burnaby Towing Service
There is no single towing company that is ideal for every breakdown. A dead battery in Brentwood requires a different solution from a damaged truck on Highway 1 or a lowered car that needs careful flatbed transportation.
For the broadest combination of 24/7 availability, towing equipment, roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, and experience with different vehicle types, Mundie’s Towing & Recovery Burnaby is our best overall choice. Able Towing is a strong alternative for careful vehicle transportation, MS Towing stands out for 24-hour roadside assistance, and Canada Towing provides another useful local and flatbed towing option.
Whichever company you choose, explain the vehicle problem clearly and ask about the estimated towing cost before authorizing the service.