Key Takeaways 2WD/FWD vehicles now need chains or an ATD, period. Under Senate Bill 25-069, tires alone no longer bring a 2WD or FWD vehicle into compliance, regardless of rating. AWD/4WD vehicles need the right tires or chains/ATD. Mud-and-snow, winter, or manufacturer all-weather tires at 3/16" tread depth still qualify — worn all-seasons don't. [...]
Every summer, when the monsoon rains roll into the high country, longtime Eagle County drivers keep half an eye on Glenwood Canyon. That instinct goes back to one summer in particular. This year marks five years since a series of historic mudslides shut down I-70 through the canyon — and since local tow crews, [...]
If your vehicle loses momentum on the Vail Pass grade or gets sidelined along I-70, do not let a recovery team drag it with two wheels on the asphalt. For modern All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Electric Vehicles (EVs), only a flatbed recovery will prevent irreversible driveline damage. Call West Vail Towing — the recovery [...]
Quick Takeaways for Your 4th of July Weekend: No Fireworks: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for all of Eagle County. Personal and public fireworks are strictly prohibited. The Parties Continue: Despite the restrictions, daytime events, parades, and concerts in Vail, Avon, and Gypsum are still on! Traffic & Safety: Expect a busy [...]
Key Takeaways Before You Climb: Expect a Power Drop: Naturally aspirated engines lose about 3% of their horsepower for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained. Check Tire Pressure Locally: Drastic elevation and temperature changes cause tire pressure to fluctuate wildly. Check your PSI after you arrive and the tires cool. Watch Your Heat: Thinner [...]
Quick Takeaways: What it is: Hydroplaning happens when your tires surf on a thin layer of water instead of gripping the road, leaving you with zero steering or brakes. Why it happens: Downhill momentum, hidden highway ruts, and worn-out tires trap water under the rubber faster than it can escape. How to react: Never [...]
Quick Takeaways: Severe Safety Risks: Tow straps have slack, removing critical control and causing rear-end collisions or massive traffic bottlenecks. Devastating Vehicle Damage: Towing a dead car can destroy the transmission, warp the frame, or rip off the bumper. Legal & Financial Trouble: DIY towing on highways is often illegal, and insurance may deny [...]
As a towing and recovery operator in Eagle County, we see firsthand how shifting weather patterns fundamentally alter highway risks. Typically, April brings the saturated slush and heavy runoff we associate with our transition season. However, following an unusually dry winter, the pavement on I-70 and Highway 6 is exposing a completely different operational [...]
A dry, mild winter in the Colorado high country tricks drivers into a false sense of security. With bare valleys and mostly dry pavement, it is easy to assume winter driving hazards are gone. They aren't. Historically, March and April are Colorado’s snowiest months. A lack of early-season snow simply means drivers are less [...]
If you’ve checked the local weather models, you know there isn't any precipitation expected soon. While this winter has yielded lower-than-usual snowfall, March in the Colorado high country remains highly variable. Weather patterns can shift abruptly later this spring, bringing sudden, severe conditions. As we move into the final weeks of the ski season, driving [...]
