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Flatbed-Only Tesla Transport
Every Tesla ever built requires flatbed transport, no exceptions. RJ Towing dispatches flatbed trucks equipped for every Tesla model: we activate Transport Mode, override dead 12V batteries, and load with zero wheel contact. 15-30 minute response across San Diego County.
Call (619) 872-5285 and we dispatch a flatbed truck for your Tesla, every model, every time. Dragging a Tesla with wheels on the ground spins the electric motors backward, damaging the drive unit ($5,000 to $12,000 repair). We activate Transport Mode, override dead 12V batteries, and load with zero wheel contact. Necesitas grúa para tu Tesla? Llámanos.
Every Tesla tow follows the same careful process, regardless of model year or drivetrain configuration.
San Diego has one of the highest Tesla ownership rates in the country. Drive through La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Coronado, Encinitas, or Scripps Ranch and you will see Model Ys and Model 3s on every block. The charging infrastructure here is robust, Supercharger stations in Fashion Valley, University Town Center, Mira Mesa, Carlsbad, and along the I-5 corridor, but Teslas still break down, still get flat tires, still run out of charge, and still get into accidents.
When a Tesla needs a tow, the towing method matters more than with any conventional vehicle. Every Tesla ever built has electric motors connected directly to the axles. There is no traditional transmission, no neutral gear that mechanically disconnects the wheels from the drivetrain. When a wheel-lift tow truck drags a Tesla with two wheels on the ground, those spinning wheels turn the electric motors in reverse, generating electricity that feeds back into the power electronics and battery management system. Tesla explicitly warns that this causes "significant damage" to the drive unit. The repair cost for a rear drive unit replacement on a Model 3 runs $5,000 to $9,000. A Model S dual-motor replacement can exceed $12,000.
That is why every Tesla, every model, every year, no exceptions, requires flatbed towing. RJ Towing has been towing Teslas in San Diego since the Model S first appeared on local roads. Our drivers are trained on the specific procedures for each model, including the differences between pre-2021 and post-2021 hardware, the Cybertruck's unique dimensions and weight, and the manual release mechanisms that vary by production year.
If your Tesla is stranded anywhere in San Diego County, call (619) 872-5285. We send a flatbed. Always.
This is not theoretical. Towing a Tesla incorrectly causes real, documented damage.
The electric motors spin backward, generating regenerative energy that feeds uncontrolled current into the inverter and battery management system. Tesla's own documentation states this will damage the powertrain. Drive unit replacement costs $5,000-$12,000 depending on the model and whether one or both motors are affected.
Even with dollies lifting all four wheels, if Transport Mode is not activated, the parking brake remains electronically engaged. Dragging against the parking brake damages brake components and can damage the parking brake actuator, a $1,200-$2,000 repair.
Teslas have designated tow hook mounting points under the front bumper. Hooking to suspension components, control arms, or the subframe can bend or crack aluminum structural members that are not designed for towing loads. Tesla body repairs on aluminum unibody structures are expensive and require Tesla-certified body shops.
Some tow operators attempt to manually shift the car by disconnecting high-voltage components. This is dangerous, voids warranty protections, and can trigger safety lockouts that require Tesla Service Center reset.
RJ Towing follows Tesla's published towing procedures for every model. We do not improvise. Call (619) 872-5285 and your Tesla is handled correctly from the first minute.
If your Tesla needs a tow to the nearest charger, here are the major Supercharger and destination charging locations we deliver to regularly:
We know exactly where each station is and which ones tend to have available stalls. When you call (619) 872-5285, tell us whether you want to go to the nearest charger or to a specific location, and we will get you there.
Every Tesla breakdown is different. Here are the most common situations we respond to across San Diego.
You come out of George's at the Cove and your Model Y will not unlock. The screen is black. The 12V auxiliary battery, the small conventional battery that powers the car's electronics, has died. This does not mean your main battery is empty.
We arrive in La Jolla within 18-25 minutes, jump the 12V, activate Transport Mode if needed, and either jump-start the car so you can drive it or load it onto the flatbed for delivery to Tesla Service Center.
The range estimator was optimistic. You were doing 80 in the fast lane and the real-world range came in 30% shorter than the screen predicted. Now you are on the I-5 shoulder near Via de la Valle with a turtle icon and zero miles remaining.
We flatbed your Tesla to the nearest Supercharger, Del Mar Highlands Town Center or the Encinitas station on El Camino Real, and you are back on the road in under an hour.
The Cybertruck does not come with a spare tire. Its staggered, oversize tires are not stocked at most tire shops. When you hit debris and shred a sidewall, you need a flatbed to the nearest tire shop that stocks Cybertruck-specific rubber, or to your garage while you order replacements.
We handle the Cybertruck's 6,800+ lb weight and 233-inch length on our flatbed without issue.
Low-speed parking lot collisions are the most common Tesla claim in San Diego. If your bumper is cracked, your parking sensor is dangling, or the car is throwing airbag warnings, do not drive it.
We flatbed your Tesla to a Tesla-certified collision center, Caliber Collision on Miramar Road, Classic Collision in Kearny Mesa, or whichever facility your insurance directs.
The air suspension system on Model S and Model X can fail, dropping the car to its bump stops. This makes the car unsafe to drive and nearly impossible to load with a wheel-lift without scraping.
Our flatbed's hydraulic platform lowers to ground level, and we winch the car on at crawl speed. No bumper damage, no underbody scraping.
Our flatbed trucks fit in most standard commercial parking garages (clearance permitting). Downtown San Diego garages near Petco Park, Horton Plaza, and the Convention Center are regular Tesla pickup locations for us.
If the garage has tight turns or low clearance, we use a wheel-lift with dollies on all four wheels and Transport Mode activated to get the vehicle to street level, then transfer to the flatbed.
Tesla towing uses our standard flatbed rate. There is no "Tesla surcharge" or premium for handling EVs. The same rate applies whether you drive a Model 3 or a Cybertruck.
| Service | Starting Price |
|---|---|
Flatbed tow (all Tesla models) Model 3, Y, S, X, Cybertruck — zero wheel contact | $75 hook + $45 flatbed premium + $8/mile |
12V jump-start (on-scene) Restore screen function and activate Transport Mode without flatbed if car can be driven safely | From $75 |
After-hours / holiday surcharge Same rate 24/7/365 | None |
Rates are typical for standard San Diego County distances. Long-haul tows to LA County, Phoenix, or Las Vegas are quoted flat-rate — call (619) 872-5285 for an exact number.
Yes. A dead screen means the 12V auxiliary battery has failed, not the main high-voltage battery. Our drivers carry portable jump packs and the tools to access the 12V system on every Tesla model. We restore enough power to activate Transport Mode, then load onto the flatbed. This is our most common Tesla call.
It is the only safe way. Tesla's owner's manual for every model explicitly states: "Use a flatbed truck to transport Model [3/Y/S/X]." Our flatbed trucks carry Teslas with zero wheel contact, zero drivetrain stress, and zero risk of regenerative damage.
Tesla towing uses our standard flatbed rate: $75 hook fee + $45 flatbed premium + mileage. There is no "Tesla surcharge." The same rate applies whether you drive a Model 3 or a Cybertruck. Call (619) 872-5285 for an exact quote based on your pickup and drop-off locations.
We cannot bring a portable charger that will meaningfully recharge a Tesla on the roadside. The physics do not work, Tesla batteries require high-voltage DC charging that only Supercharger stations or home NEMA 14-50 outlets provide. What we can do is flatbed your Tesla to the nearest Supercharger station so you are back on the road as quickly as possible.
Yes. Our flatbed trucks fit in most standard commercial parking garages (clearance permitting). Downtown San Diego garages near Petco Park, Horton Plaza, and the Convention Center are regular pickup locations for us. If the garage has tight turns or low clearance that prevents flatbed access, we use a wheel-lift with dollies on all four wheels and Transport Mode activated to get the vehicle to street level, then transfer to the flatbed.
Yes. The Cybertruck's 6,800+ lb weight and 233-inch length fit on our flatbed platform. Our drivers know the Cybertruck's front-trunk 12V jump point and bed tonneau manual release procedure. We also handle Cybertruck-specific loading needs, its ride height and stainless-steel body panels require controlled approach angles to avoid scraping.
One call to RJ Towing covers more than a single service. If your situation includes any of these, we handle it on the same dispatch.
Zero-wheel-contact transport for Teslas, luxury, AWD, lowered, and classic vehicles.
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Freeways We Cover Daily
I-5 · I-8 · I-15 · I-805 · SR-163 · SR-94 · SR-52 · SR-54 · SR-125 · SR-75 · SR-56 · SR-905
Cross-Border Service, The Only One in San Diego
Tijuana Direct Line: (664) 801-9382
Your Tesla is an investment, $35,000 to $100,000 depending on the model. It deserves a tow company that understands exactly how to handle it. RJ Towing has been towing Teslas across San Diego for years. We know the Transport Mode procedures for every model. We carry the 12V jump equipment. We use soft straps and wheel nets on a hydraulic flatbed with zero road contact.
Call (619) 872-5285 and your Tesla is in the right hands.
Flatbed only. Transport Mode activation. 12V jump ready. 15-30 min.
¿Tu Tesla necesita grúa? Llama al (619) 872-5285: servicio completamente en español, grúa de plataforma para todos los modelos Tesla. Línea Tijuana: (664) 801-9382.
Servicio en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382