KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Photograph the clearance sign at your garage entrance and send or read us the number.
- Someone must open the gate with a fob or remote and stay until the car is out.
- Cars that sat in water on a low level should be towed, not started.
- Dollies get a car out of a stall boxed in by pillars or other cars.
- One price for the parkade step and the street step, agreed by phone first.
Underground towing on River Drive: what sets the equipment
The posted clearance at your parkade entrance decides how the car comes out. Listings for Parc Riviera describe secure underground parking with garage door openers, built for cars and not for tow trucks. Read the sign or height bar at your gate, then tell us the number along with the level and stall. With that, we choose between a low-profile unit and dollies before leaving, the same planning we use for underground calls in Bridgeport and underground towing in Tait.
The ramp shape matters too. A straight ramp is easy, while a curved ramp with a tight turn at the gate needs the car moved slowly with a spotter. Mention anything unusual, such as a second gate between levels, a speed bump at the top or a narrow aisle. Our flatbed crew on River Drive waits outside for the hand-off, and our about page explains how the crew works together.
| Detail | Where to find it | What it decides |
|---|---|---|
| Posted clearance | Sign or height bar at the garage entrance | Low-profile unit or dollies |
| Level and stall | Painted on the floor or nearest pillar | Route to the ramp |
| Gate access | Your fob, remote or building contact | How the driver gets in and out |
| Ramp shape | Straight or curved, any second gate | How slowly the car is brought up |
| Drivetrain | AWD, EV or two-wheel drive | Which wheels must be lifted |
Getting through the gate for underground towing on River Drive
Gate access is the most common delay on a River Drive underground tow, so plan it before the truck arrives. Strata garage gates usually close behind each car, and the driver needs them open both on the way in and on the way out with your car. Meet the driver at the gate with your fob or remote, or arrange for a neighbour or caretaker to do it. Our River Drive car towing page explains how to give us the right building number, and our tow wait time guide shows why gate details save time.
If the car belongs to a visitor, the visitor area may sit behind a different gate from resident parking. Tell us which one, and whether a call box or buzzer is needed. When a car is stuck in visitor parking but can still drive, a smaller fix may solve it, such as a battery boost on River Drive or fuel delivery to River Drive.
Underground towing on River Drive after water reaches a parkade
If water has pooled around a car on a low parkade level, don't try to start it. Have it towed and checked. River Drive sits right behind the dike on the North Arm, and the City's flood protection page explains that Richmond averages about one metre above sea level, protected by 49 km of dikes and 39 drainage pump stations. A leaking pipe or a blocked drain can still leave water on a lower parkade floor. Our underground towing team in Bridgeport brings the car up on dollies so it isn't driven, and our River Drive accident towing page explains the insurance side.
The No. 4 Road pump station stands beside Tait Waterfront Park at the north end of No. 4 Rd, a reminder of how low this land is. When you call, tell us how high the water reached on the wheels, whether the interior got wet and whether the car was running at the time. That helps the shop as well as us. See our Bridgeport towing hub for destination options and contact us when you are ready.
- Do not start the engine or switch on an EV
- Note how high the water reached on the tires or doors
- Photograph the car and the parkade floor
- Tell your strata manager so the cause can be fixed
How the car moves during underground towing on River Drive
The car leaves the stall on its own wheels only if those wheels are free to turn. When a car is boxed in by pillars or neighbours, dollies go under each tire so it can slide sideways into the aisle. A low-profile unit then lifts it and climbs the ramp at walking speed. AWD cars and EVs are dollied at all four wheels, as with every Tesla in a River Drive parkade. For the difference between lifting methods, see our flatbed vs wheel-lift guide.
Motorcycles and scooters stored in parkades are moved differently, by hand with wheel chocks and soft straps. Our River Drive motorcycle towing page covers that. Once any vehicle reaches the street, it is loaded and secured, then taken to the destination you choose, including out of town through long distance hauling.
Underground towing on River Drive, or a fix in the stall
Plenty of River Drive parkade calls are solved without a tow. A car that clicks but won't crank usually needs a boost, and keys locked inside need our River Drive lockout service. Tell us the symptoms and we will send the lighter option first, the same way our 24 hour roadside team on River Drive works.
When the car really must come out, the underground step and the street step are booked together in one call. You get one price, confirmed on the phone before hookup, and one crew handling the whole move. Our guide to hidden towing fees explains what to ask, and Zip Towing's home page lists every service.
Underground Towing on River Drive: questions drivers ask
Can a regular tow truck enter my River Drive parkade?
Usually not. Most condo parkades are too low, so we use a low-profile unit or dollies to bring the car up, then load it outside.
What if I don't know the clearance?
Look for the sign or height bar at the garage entrance and take a photo. If there isn't one, tell us and we will plan for dollies.
Can you move a car that is blocked in by pillars?
Yes. Dollies under each tire let the car slide sideways into the aisle before it is lifted.
How much does underground towing on River Drive cost?
It depends on the parkade, the car and the destination. You get that price on the phone, before any dolly goes under a wheel.