Suddenly you’re stuck in a ditch in Missoula.
It happens fast — one slippery corner, one patch of black ice. Slide-offs are one of the most common winter incidents in Western Montana. The key is knowing what to do immediately so you don’t make the situation worse.
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Before doing anything:
- Check for injuries
- Turn on hazard lights
- Make sure you’re not blocking traffic
- Look for leaking fluids
If you’re near traffic, stay inside the vehicle unless it’s unsafe.
2. Don’t Spin Your Tires
This is the biggest mistake drivers make.
Spinning tires:
- Digs you deeper
- Damages drivetrain components
- Compacts snow and ice under the tires
- Makes recovery harder
If you’ve already tried once and it didn’t move, stop.
3. Avoid Improvised Pull-Out Attempts
Friends with trucks often want to help — but:
- Improper tow straps can snap
- Incorrect attachment points can cause damage
- Sudden jerking can bend frames or axles
What looks like a simple pull can turn into major repair costs.
4. Determine If You Need a Winch-Out
You likely need professional recovery if:
- Your vehicle is tilted
- The undercarriage is resting on snow
- You slid down an embankment
- One or more wheels have no traction
- The vehicle is close to a fence, tree, or culvert
Ditch recoveries require controlled winching to prevent further damage.
5. Call a Tow Truck Early, Not After It Gets Worse
The sooner you call, the simpler (and often cheaper) the recovery.
Waiting until:
- The vehicle slides deeper
- Temperatures drop
- Traffic increases
…only complicates the situation.
Professional Ditch Recovery in Missoula
Get the fastest, safest, and most reliable towing. You can trust Speed’s Towing in stressful times, and we’ll be right on time.
- Accident recovery
- Light & Medium-Weight towing
- Off-road winch-outs & Heavy Duty Tows
- Roadside assistance across Western Montana
When to Choose Speed’s Towing – (406) 529-7801
Choose Speed’s every time if you want the best of both world’s. We offer 24/7 towing because we know Montanans can need the best towing services day or night, rain or chine. For a local, trusted, and experienced tow truck company.
