It's one thing to call a towing serviced if you have broken down on a highway or road, but it is much harder to get a tow truck to pick you up if you are stranded on soft ground such as the dunes or on a beach. Here are some tips if you find yourself stuck.
Locate the nearest cross road
The tow truck won't be able to help you if they don't know where you are. Let them know the closest cross road or car park, as well as your approximate distance from the road. Most smartphones have a maps function that can let you work out your location in GPS (global positioning satellites) co-ordinates which can help the truck operator get as close as possible to your location. If you can also place reflectors out this is a good idea, especially if you are in a valley and may be hard to spot.
Let them know the model and weight of the stranded vehicles
The tow truck operator may be able to help you with lighter equipment such as ropes and a 4WD (four wheel drive) vehicle if your quad bike is relatively light. Quad bikes vary substantially in weight and size so it's a good idea to be specific when you call the towing service so that they know exactly what equipment to bring. You should also let them know of any obvious damage to the quad bike in case they need to make extra efforts to secure the vehicle, including broken pieces or leaking coolant. If you are not sure of the damage you can give them a broad description of how you broke down, and they can bring some equipment that may be useful.
Stay by your vehicle while waiting for help
Unfortunately, in Australia, it can easily get hotter than people expect and many people collapse with heatstroke and/or dehydration when going for help. Even if your vehicle doesn't have a roof you should stay within and make the most of the shade from your vehicle to stay safe while the towing service is coming. This will preserve your energy and strength in case it takes some time for help to arrive.
It can be disappointing to need to be towed on a fun quad bike excursion, but by giving the towing service the correct details you can get back on the road as soon as possible.
