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24/7 · CHICAGO’S NORTH SIDE
24/7 Towing on Chicago’s North Side
Need a North Side tow? Call (312) 451-5785 for 24/7 light-duty wheel-lift towing, with dollies for compatible AWD/4WD vehicles.
No flatbed, heavy-duty or motorcycle towing · Vehicle fit and clearance checked · English & Spanish
East Lakeview or West Lakeview: where is the car?
Need a local tow truck for a breakdown, a non-starting car or repair-shop delivery? Rick’s provides 24/7 wheel-lift towing in Lakeview for compatible cars, SUVs and light-duty vehicles. Call with your pickup address: curbside, rear-lot and garage pickups need different loading arrangements.
East Lakeview towing services
For a pickup near Broadway, Sheridan Road, Belmont Harbor or Diversey Parkway, use the East Lakeview towing and pickup guide. Give the actual street address or parking entrance, especially when a harbor name or map pin does not lead to the car.
West Lakeview tow services
Near Ashland, Lincoln or Belmont, see West Lakeview tow services and access details. Tell us if the vehicle is behind a building, blocked in or unable to roll and steer. Have the repair-shop destination ready so we can discuss the tow and total quote.
For the broader neighborhood, see Lakeview towing and roadside assistance. Vehicle compatibility and access are checked before dispatch; Rick’s does not offer flatbed towing.
Wheel-lift towing and dolly setups from our work
These photos show vehicle positioning, towing dollies and repair-shop deliveries. Vehicle compatibility and access are checked before dispatch.
Local car towing and repair-shop delivery
Breakdown towing and repair-shop delivery
Rick’s provides 24/7 light-duty wheel-lift towing across Chicago’s North Side. Give the pickup address, destination, vehicle year, make, model and drivetrain. Describe what stopped the car, whether it rolls and steers, key availability and any wheel or suspension damage.
AWD, 4WD and damaged vehicles
Dollies are available for compatible AWD and 4WD vehicles. Manufacturer transport requirements, loaded weight, dimensions, modifications and condition determine the setup. Rick’s can assess damaged-suspension towing, including a broken axle or ball joint, but the actual damage and loading space must be checked. No flatbed, heavy-duty or motorcycle towing is offered.
Garage, alley and private-property access
Report the entrance, level, lowest clearance, ramp turns, gates and working space around the vehicle. Mention locked steering, a transmission stuck in Park or an electronic parking brake that will not release. Missing keys can change or prevent a suitable loading setup. Owner-requested private-property transport requires authorization; it is not unauthorized impound or enforcement towing.
For Lakeview garages, Lincoln Park rear lots, Wrigleyville event parking or a Diversey Harbor pickup, provide the actual entrance and current access restrictions. A neighborhood or landmark alone is not a pickup address. Rick’s is independent of the property or venue.
Confirm the destination and full quote
For local or long-distance transport, confirm the receiving address, delivery hours, after-hours parking and key handoff. Tell us about an overheated engine, a tire blowout or a failed jump start so the request can be assessed correctly. A jump start does not resolve every breakdown.
Ask for availability, an arrival estimate and the total quote for the described route and handling. Time of day, access, recovery work and vehicle condition can affect the job; a search for a nearby truck does not establish its arrival time.
Related service and pickup guides
- towing a vehicle that will not roll or steer
- River North Tow Company
- Magnificent Mile Tow Service
- Portage Park Tire Change Service
- Lake View East towing and roadside assistance
Call Rick’s 24/7: (312) 451-5785 to confirm service and your quote.
Land Rover on a wheel lift and towing dollies.
Wheel-lift and dolly setup for a Volkswagen Touareg in an alley.
Watch a wheel-lift pickup setup
This owner-provided clip shows a parking-lot tow setup. Confirm the vehicle’s drivetrain, wheel condition and access before arranging a tow.
Parking-lot wheel-lift tow setup — Rick’s tow equipment and a Honda sedan during a parking-lot pickup. The clip does not document a mechanical diagnosis or precise neighborhood.
Get a Local Towing Quote: Call (312) 451-5785
Get a towing quote for your pickup, destination and vehicle. Call (312) 451-5785 and ask what the total includes.
| Detail | What to tell Rick’s |
|---|---|
| Trip | Pickup address, repair-shop destination and loaded distance. |
| Vehicle | Year, make, model, drivetrain, keys and whether it rolls and steers. |
| Access or recovery | Garage height, alley width, blocked wheels or a vehicle stuck off the pavement. |
| Time and payment | Ask about after-hours charges, payment method and the total before service. |
Prefer a reference estimate first? Use Rick’s towing rate calculator, then confirm the actual quote by phone.
Will a towing estimate cover a car that cannot roll?
Only if the quote accounts for that condition. Tell Rick’s which wheels are blocked or damaged and whether the car steers. Additional equipment, recovery work or a different provider may be necessary; confirm suitability before dispatch.
Trying to find a car that was already towed?
Use the City’s official vehicle search for City tows and relocations. It does not include every private tow. Confirm the vehicle’s location and release requirements with the responsible facility before arranging another service. Read the tow preparation guide for the next steps.
When a tow may be safer than another roadside attempt
Discuss towing when the engine repeatedly stalls, the car overheats or leaks coolant, a wheel is damaged, or there is no usable spare. A jump start cannot correct those conditions. If smoke, fire, injuries or immediate traffic danger are involved, call 911 first.
Report whether the vehicle stopped while driving or simply would not restart after parking. Include warning lights and symptoms without guessing the cause. See the pickup and repair-shop delivery checklist.
Wheel-lift suitability depends on the vehicle
Rick’s uses a black 2002 Ford F-550 and a 2004 Ford F-450 with Dynamic electric-over-hydraulic wheel-lift equipment and towing dollies for compatible AWD/4WD vehicles. Service is light-duty only; no flatbed, heavy-duty or motorcycle towing is offered. AWD, 4WD, hybrid and electric vehicles need an individual review of the manufacturer’s transport requirements. Locked or damaged wheels, low ground clearance and restricted access may change whether the job is possible.
For example, Ford’s linked manual requires all wheels off the road for the AWD/4WD configurations it covers, using appropriate equipment. Consult the manual for your exact vehicle; this example does not establish compatibility for every model.
A real North Side tow
A BMW shut off near Southport and Fullerton and would not restart. Rick’s handled a wheel-lift tow for the disabled vehicle. Need your disabled car taken to a repair shop? Call with the pickup address, vehicle details and destination so we can arrange a suitable tow.
Arrange your tow in three steps
Call (312) 451-5785 to arrange towing. Here is what we’ll cover:
- Tell us where the car is. Give the pickup address, destination, year, make and model.
- Get your quote and arrival estimate. Mention missing keys, damaged wheels, drivetrain and garage or alley access. We’ll confirm the suitable towing setup and total before dispatch.
- Prepare for pickup. Have keys and authorization available, and confirm repair-shop drop-off instructions.
Common questions
Do you offer flatbed towing?
No. Rick’s uses a wheel-lift truck. Call to check whether your vehicle can be serviced.
Can a car without keys be towed?
Sometimes, but missing keys can leave steering locked, the transmission in Park or an electronic parking brake engaged. Give the year, make, model, drivetrain and vehicle position; explain whether it rolls and steers and whether you can access the cabin. Do not force a shifter or steering lock. Rick’s must confirm a suitable wheel-lift setup and safe access before accepting the tow. Be prepared to establish that you are authorized to request the vehicle’s removal.
Need a Tow Now? Call Rick’s 24/7
Need a tow now? Call (312) 451-5785 with your pickup address and vehicle year, make and model. Tell us where you want the car taken. Rick’s will confirm the towing setup, availability, arrival estimate and total quote before dispatch.
Explore related help
Useful next steps
Questions before you call
Is there 24-hour towing in Chicago?
Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance is open 24/7 for compatible light-duty wheel-lift towing in Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side, with nearby suburban service by arrangement. Call (312) 451-5785 to confirm availability for your exact location.
How should I choose between towing companies?
Confirm the company name, vehicle compatibility, pickup access, destination, total quote and current arrival estimate. Ask what conditions could change the price. Rick’s does not offer flatbed or heavy-duty towing.
Help for specific situations
AWD and 4WD towing with wheel-lift equipment and dollies
For suitable vehicles, towing dollies can support the wheels not held by the wheel lift, keeping all four wheels off the road.
Compatibility depends on the exact vehicle, manufacturer instructions, weight, clearance, wheel condition and available loading space. Tell us about any EV or hybrid transport requirements when you call.
Do not assume shifting into neutral makes wheels-on-road towing safe. Rick’s must confirm that the available wheel-lift and dolly setup can meet the requirements for your exact vehicle and pickup location. If it cannot, another transport method or provider may be needed.
Need a tow?
Call with your pickup address and destination for availability, an arrival estimate and a towing quote.
Urgent help? Call. Messages do not confirm service.
Nearby service areas
Talk to Rick’s
Wheel-lift towing and roadside assistance in Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side.
Can I request a light-duty wrecker service in Chicago?
Yes. Rick’s uses a wheel-lift tow truck for compatible passenger vehicles in Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side. “Wrecker service” can also refer to much larger recovery equipment, so describe the vehicle and the problem before booking. Rick’s does not offer heavy-duty or flatbed towing. If the vehicle is stuck rather than simply disabled, request a recovery assessment as well.
Light-duty winch-out assessment · Compare the full towing quote
Compare the relevant service options
Use the service guide that matches the symptoms, then confirm vehicle suitability and availability with Rick’s.
