AAA generally provides towing for eligible cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and other qualifying vehicles. However, AAA will not tow every vehicle or situation. Coverage can be limited when a vehicle is unsafe to service, requires specialized equipment, is used commercially, or falls outside the member’s plan.
Some RVs, motorcycles, trailers, commercial vehicles, heavily modified vehicles, and vehicles in restricted locations may have towing limitations. AAA rules also vary by regional club and membership level, so checking your specific coverage is important.
What Vehicles Does AAA Usually Not Tow?
AAA restrictions vary, but the following vehicles or situations may have limited or excluded towing coverage:
- Commercially configured vehicles
- Taxis and limousines
- Certain buses and large trucks
- Overloaded vehicles
- Unsafe or heavily modified vehicles
- Vehicles with attached snowplows
- Some RVs without RV coverage
- Motorcycles without applicable coverage
- Certain trailers
- Vehicles requiring heavy-duty equipment
- Unregistered or illegally operated vehicles
AAA may decline service when a vehicle cannot be safely handled with available roadside equipment.
Does AAA Tow Commercial Vehicles?
In many AAA regions, commercial vehicles are not covered by standard Emergency Road Service.
Examples of potentially excluded vehicles include taxis, limousines, shuttles, ride-for-hire vehicles, box trucks, cube vans, cutaway trucks, and other commercially configured vehicles.
A vehicle that looks like an ordinary pickup or van may still be excluded if it is registered or configured for commercial use.
If you use your vehicle for business, review your local AAA membership terms before assuming towing is included.
Will AAA Tow an RV?
AAA may provide RV towing with qualifying RV coverage, but standard membership does not necessarily include the same benefits.
Depending on the region and plan, RV coverage can include motor homes, camper vans, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and other recreational vehicles. Some plans require an RV upgrade for towing.
If you own an RV, confirm that your membership specifically includes RV towing before requesting roadside assistance.
Does AAA Tow Motorcycles?
AAA may tow motorcycles, but motorcycle towing can require additional coverage, depending on the local AAA club and membership plan.
Some AAA plans provide motorcycle services through Plus RV or Premier RV benefits. Standard membership may offer only certain roadside services.
Before requesting a motorcycle tow, verify that your plan includes motorcycle towing and determine whether mileage or equipment restrictions apply.
Will AAA Tow Trailers?
Trailer coverage varies significantly between AAA plans.
Some memberships offer limited trailer services, while others exclude certain trailer types or require additional RV coverage. Travel trailers, utility trailers, boat trailers, horse trailers, and car trailers may be treated differently depending on the region.
If your vehicle breaks down while towing a trailer, ask AAA whether both the tow vehicle and trailer are covered.
Will AAA Tow a Vehicle With a Snowplow?
AAA may refuse to service a vehicle with an attached snowplow if the equipment makes the vehicle unsafe to tow or requires specialized equipment.
Some membership terms may require the plow to be removed before a covered vehicle can be towed.
If you have a snowplow-equipped truck, check your local AAA restrictions before relying on standard towing coverage.
Does AAA Tow Overloaded or Modified Vehicles?
AAA can refuse service when a vehicle is overloaded or modified in a way that creates a safety concern.
Potential problems include:
- Excessive vehicle weight
- Oversized modifications
- Unsafe suspension modifications
- Attached equipment
- Alterations that prevent standard towing equipment from being used
- Vehicles exceeding the provider’s equipment limits
The roadside technician may determine that the vehicle cannot be safely serviced with the available equipment.
Will AAA Tow a Vehicle From an Inaccessible Location?
AAA generally needs safe access to the disabled vehicle.
A vehicle located on an unplowed road, beach, open field, wooded area, flooded roadway, or other difficult-to-access location may not qualify for standard roadside service.
Even if the vehicle itself is eligible, AAA may decline the tow if reaching or recovering it would create a safety hazard or require specialized recovery equipment.
Will AAA Tow a Vehicle to a Junkyard or Salvage Yard?
Generally, AAA roadside towing is not designed for transporting vehicles to junkyards, salvage yards, auctions, or similar destinations.
Some regional AAA terms exclude towing associated with disposal, auctions, vehicle sales, or auto dismantling.
If your vehicle is being scrapped or sold for salvage, you may need to arrange a private towing service and pay separately.
Will AAA Tow an Unregistered Vehicle?
AAA coverage generally requires the vehicle to meet applicable registration and eligibility requirements.
Some membership terms exclude vehicles without valid state license plates or vehicles subject to certain legal restrictions.
An unregistered, abandoned, or illegally parked vehicle can therefore create coverage problems.
What About Police-Ordered or Impounded Vehicles?
AAA roadside assistance is generally not intended to replace police-authorized towing or impound services.
Certain situations involving police-ordered towing, legal violations, stolen vehicles, accidents, or impound facilities may fall outside standard roadside benefits.
If your vehicle has been impounded, contact the appropriate police department or impound facility to determine which towing company and payment process apply.
AAA Vehicle Towing Restrictions at a Glance
| Vehicle or Situation | Typical AAA Coverage |
| Standard car | Usually eligible |
| SUV | Usually eligible |
| Pickup truck | Usually eligible, subject to limits |
| Van/minivan | Usually eligible |
| Commercial vehicle | Often excluded |
| Taxi/limousine | Often excluded |
| Motorcycle | May require additional coverage |
| RV | May require RV coverage |
| Travel trailer | Varies by plan and region |
| Snowplow-equipped vehicle | May be restricted |
| Overloaded vehicle | May be refused |
| Heavily modified vehicle | May be refused |
| Unregistered vehicle | Generally not eligible |
| Salvage/junkyard tow | Generally excluded |
| Police-ordered tow | May be excluded |
| Inaccessible location | May be refused |
What Should You Do If AAA Won’t Tow Your Vehicle?
If AAA determines that your vehicle isn’t eligible, first ask whether the problem involves your vehicle type, membership level, location, destination, or towing equipment.
If your membership does not cover the situation, you can contact a private towing company. This can be especially useful for commercial vehicles, RVs, motorcycles, trailers, heavy vehicles, and vehicles requiring specialized equipment.
When calling a towing provider, provide:
- Vehicle make and model
- Approximate vehicle weight
- Exact location
- Whether the vehicle is drivable
- Whether a trailer is attached
- Desired destination
- Any special equipment or modifications
This information helps the towing company determine what type of truck and equipment are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest vehicle AAA will tow?
There is no single nationwide maximum because AAA coverage and equipment vary by club. Standard roadside service generally focuses on passenger and light-duty vehicles. Heavier vehicles may require specialized equipment or additional coverage.
Does AAA tow F-250 or F-350 trucks?
It depends on the AAA club, truck configuration, weight, and membership. Some larger trucks may exceed standard equipment limits. Check your local AAA terms before relying on coverage.
Does AAA tow a camper?
AAA may tow qualifying recreational vehicles when the member has appropriate RV coverage. Standard membership may provide more limited RV benefits.
Will AAA tow a motorcycle?
Yes, in eligible plans and regions. Motorcycle towing may require an appropriate motorcycle or RV benefit.
Will AAA tow a car with a trailer?
Coverage depends on the AAA club, membership level, and trailer type. Some trailers may require additional RV coverage.
Can AAA refuse a tow?
Yes. AAA can refuse service when a vehicle is unsafe, inaccessible, outside membership eligibility rules, or requires equipment that cannot safely be used.
Conclusion
AAA can be convenient for ordinary passenger vehicles, but not every vehicle qualifies for standard AAA towing. Commercial vehicles, certain motorcycles and RVs, trailers, overloaded or modified vehicles, and vehicles in inaccessible or legally restricted situations may have coverage limitations.
Because AAA clubs have different rules, check the terms of your specific membership before assuming a tow is covered. If your vehicle falls outside AAA’s coverage, a private towing company may be a better option.
Need a Tow Without AAA?
If AAA won’t tow your vehicle, Towing Recovery Rebuilding Assistance Services can provide another option for local towing and roadside assistance.
Whether you’re searching for towing near me, towing Naperville, towing service, tow trucks, tow trucks Naperville, towing service near me, or tow trucks near me, contacting a towing provider directly can help when your vehicle falls outside a roadside membership’s coverage.
Call Towing Recovery Rebuilding Assistance Services at 630-200-2731 for towing assistance.
