Skip to content Thursday, February 2026. At 11:30 our dispatch service received an urgent call: a loaded truck had broken down on the federal motorway, left lane, kilometre 145, not far from Arnstein in Bavaria. Professional towing was needed urgently. Our team mobilised immediately and headed to the scene. This case is a good illustration of a typical situation: when a truck breaks down on a fast motorway, towing becomes unavoidable. Once the vehicle’s engine has stopped, it can no longer move under its own power — and in this kind of situation, towing is legally permitted.
Real towing example: how we rescued a truck on the motorway in Bavaria
Dispatch call and our recovery team heading out
The dispatcher gave us all the details: a loaded truck, a white Volvo with a refrigerated trailer, a perishable load (meat), a stalled engine. On Bavaria’s motorways, time is critical — every minute of standing still without proper safety measures creates hazards and danger for other road users. Every step of the crew’s work is a classic piece of roadside assistance.
Our experienced tow truck driver and his assistant were on the road four minutes after the call. The distance to the site was fifteen kilometres. In situations like this, professional services are essential — not only because they carry the right equipment, but because they can arrive on scene quickly enough to avoid the high costs of a long standstill and traffic disruption. On Bavaria’s federal motorways, a fast response from the towing service is decisive, since these are key routes for European freight transport.
Initial diagnosis of the truck on site
When our team arrived, we found a typical emergency scene: the white Volvo was stopped in the left lane, its hazard lights barely marking off the second lane. Around it — vehicles going past, police with warning cones, nervous truck and car drivers.
The experienced truck driver (23 years on the road) reported: the engine had been making strange noises since early morning, but he kept driving. After four hours on the road, the motor simply stalled. Attempts to restart it went nowhere. This pointed to a technical fault requiring a tow.
We ran an initial diagnosis: attempted restart (unsuccessful), inspection of the engine compartment. It quickly became clear the problem wasn’t the battery or the pneumatics. Before towing, it’s essential to check the brakes and the brake pedal to ensure the manoeuvre is safe. A vehicle being towed must have functioning steering and brakes, since this is a mandatory safety condition. The situation called for professional diagnostics from a specialised workshop in Bavaria.
The problem with the perishable load in the trailer
The second critical issue: a perishable load was sitting in the trailer — meat in boxes, kept at minus eighteen degrees Celsius. The cooling unit shut down along with the main engine. Every hour of standstill on the motorway meant a risk of the goods spoiling and financial losses for both driver and receiver.
The driver had already contacted the freight company responsible for the transport across Germany. The company started calculating the losses. We immediately recommended requesting a mobile refrigerated trailer or finding alternative transport for the reload.
Why ordinary towing on the motorway was impossible
This is an important point for anyone working in freight transport in Germany. The truck’s gross weight was around 22 tonnes. Towing it by ordinary means would have carried the following risks:
- Risk of damaging the trailer axles: When towing a loaded trailer, the load on the front axle could exceed permitted limits, which would have led to a breakdown.
- Risk of load shifting: Under dynamic loads (acceleration, braking on the road), the meat in the trailer could shift, creating a safety hazard.
- General road danger: Improper towing at high speeds on a federal motorway could lead to a serious traffic accident.
When towing trucks, it’s important to use a suitable rigid tow bar, since a rope poses a serious hazard for heavy vehicles. The rigid bar keeps a constant distance between the vehicles and gives much more control than a rope, preventing rear-end collisions, though it can make turning more difficult.
What’s more, the cost shouldn’t be underestimated: because of the specifics involved and strict safety standards, towing a truck comes out considerably more expensive than towing a passenger car. That’s why we immediately called out a flatbed platform (a tow-truck platform) that lifts the loaded truck completely, taking it off the road entirely. This is the standard method for heavy-vehicle transport on German motorways.
Organising and ordering specialised equipment
We contacted dispatch and requested a platform with a load capacity of at least 25 tonnes. Bavarian traffic police were already on site, helping redirect the flow of vehicles.
A recovery like this must meet both legal and technical requirements: the tow-truck driver must hold the appropriate license, the load must be secured, the lighting must be functional. Waiting for the platform took about forty minutes. During that time we:
- Gathered information about the cargo and the delivery route.
- Helped the driver get in touch with the sender and the receiver.
- Coordinated actions with the police.
- Prepared the paperwork.
On Bavaria’s motorways, traffic jams form very quickly. By the time the platform arrived, traffic was already crawling, though it hadn’t come to a complete standstill yet.
Safety measures when towing on the motorway
Germany has very strict rules for towing on high-speed motorways (StVO §15a):
- Hazard lights: Must be switched on for both vehicles.
- Distance: The gap between vehicles must be at least 50 metres (when using a tow rope).
- Speed: Maximum permitted speed for towing on the motorway is 50 km/h. It’s often reasonable to go even slower.
- Marking: The connection (rope or bar) must be marked with a red flag or cloth strip.
- Bolts: Fastenings must be reliable and only attached at designated points.
- Motorcycle ban: Towing motorcycles on the motorway is prohibited.
- Expert assistance: Without experience, it’s always better to call professionals or a roadside assistance service.
Following these rules protects you and others. When in doubt, it’s always better to rely on specialists who know all the nuances of the legislation.
Platform arrival and start of the operation
A special Volvo-based tow truck arrived with a 26-tonne cargo platform. The driver, Sergei, is a specialist with twelve years’ experience in Germany, familiar with all the nuances of roadside work.
Manoeuvring took several minutes. Sergei carefully positioned the platform under the loaded trailer. This required maximum concentration, since traffic continued to flow around them. Before the lift, the tow hooks had already been secured to the mounts at the lower level.
The lift took about twenty minutes. That time was spent on:
- Checking all mounts and securing straps.
- Even weight distribution.
- Secure fastening of the trailer.
- Checking the hydraulics.
Once the hydraulics kicked in, the white Volvo rose smoothly into the air and was securely fastened. The truck was now fully secure.
Transporting the loaded truck along the motorway
Once secured, we set off for the nearest specialised workshop in Bavaria.
- Speed: The maximum transport speed was 40 km/h. In some stretches Sergei drove even slower due to road conditions.
- Escort: A police car drove ahead, blocking lanes and warning other drivers with hazard lights.
- Distance: The workshop was seven kilometres away. The trip took about twenty minutes.
The sight of an enormous truck riding on the platform drew attention: other drivers slowed down, some filmed it. For many it’s an unusual sight; for us, it’s just another day’s work.
Delivery to the workshop in Bavaria
The workshop was located in Arnstein’s industrial zone. We had notified the staff in advance. The mechanics were ready and immediately connected a diagnostic computer to the Volvo’s engine. The full check took about thirty minutes.
Diagnostic results: The oil pressure sensor had failed. Because of this, the electronics switched into protective mode and completely blocked ignition. The problem was not catastrophic — it was entirely fixable.
Repair cost: The sensor cost about 300 euros, labour was about 600 euros. Total, about 900 euros. For a truck of this size these are minor expenses compared with the potential losses from an improper tow.
Solving the cargo problem
While the repair was underway, we helped the driver with the meat. Fortunately, the company had insurance and access to a mobile refrigerated trailer. They organised:
- A mobile cold-storage unit arriving at the workshop within two hours.
- Reloading the meat from the original trailer.
- Shipping the goods onward by an alternative means.
Thanks to these measures, the load arrived with minimal time lost. Losses were limited to the transhipment cost, which was far less than the value of the entire meat consignment.
Documenting the operation
Every one of our call-outs is strictly recorded:
- Time: Call at 11:30, arrival at 11:52, platform arrival at 12:32, delivery to the workshop at 13:05. Total duration — about 3 hours.
- Equipment: Main Volvo tow truck for assistance and a 26-tonne Volvo platform.
- Distance: Total call-out — 22 km, transport distance — 7 km.
- Costs: Call-out — 450 euros, platform transport — 320 euros. Total towing cost came to 770 euros.
While the average price for 30 km of towing runs between 180 and 270 euros, in this case the cost was higher due to the complexity and the specific requirements for heavy transport.
Recommendations for truck drivers in Germany
- Regular maintenance: Sensors and electronics are the first candidates for failure. Check them twice a year. It’s cheaper than an emergency tow.
- Listen to the engine: If a sound has changed since the morning — that’s a sign. Better to spend 15 minutes checking on a lay-by than hours waiting for help.
- Professional contacts: Don’t save on the towing service. Non-professionals can cause even greater damage.
- Cargo insurance: For perishable goods, insurance in case of delays is essential.
- Stay in touch with your base: Report problems immediately so the company can arrange a replacement in time.
- Know the rules: On German motorways, a warning triangle and hazard lights are mandatory. Place the sign at least 100 metres back.
Statistics for Bavaria, February 2026
Over the month our service carried out 127 professional tows:
- 34 cases: electronics and sensor failures.
- 28 cases: engine assistance.
- 22 cases: tyre problems.
- 19 cases: brake system.
- 24 cases: other causes.
The main cause for vehicles under five years old is precisely sensors and electronics.
Response times
- In cities: 12-15 minutes.
- On the motorway: 15-25 minutes.
- In rural areas: 25-35 minutes.
- When a platform is needed: an additional 35-50 minutes.
Bottom line: why professionalism matters
Towing a heavy truck on a federal motorway is a complex operation requiring a fast response, correct diagnosis, the right equipment, and coordination with the authorities. In the case of the white Volvo, everything went perfectly: the driver was safe, the cargo was saved, the vehicle was repaired.
Remember: a professional towing service is an investment in your safety and in preserving your business. When towing any vehicle — whether a truck, a passenger car, or a vehicle with an automatic transmission — you need to know the full range of nuances. Towing is only permitted in emergencies. The distance from the motorway must be covered to the nearest exit. Vehicles with a faulty electrical system or an empty tank should not be towed at all.
Special attention is needed for electric vehicles and “automatics.” Vehicles with automatic transmissions can only be towed in neutral (N) and over short distances, otherwise overheating will destroy the transmission. Electric vehicles should never be towed at all due to the risk of the motor generating energy and the battery overheating — they must only be transported on a platform. A rigid tow bar is always more reliable than a rope, since it prevents rear-end collisions. Practise your towing skills in a car park so you’re ready for real road situations.
