You’re stranded. The sun is beating down on the California high desert, or maybe it’s one of those weirdly freezing Antelope Valley nights, and your car just... stopped. It’s a gut-punch feeling. When you start searching for help in Lancaster or Palmdale, Clark and Howard Towing is likely the first name that pops up. They’ve been around since 1956. That’s a long time to be pulling people out of ditches.
Honestly, the towing business is brutal. Most people only call a tow truck when they’re having a terrible day. This creates a weird dynamic where reviews are either "they saved my life" or "this is a scam." With Clark and Howard Towing, the reality is tucked somewhere in the middle of their decades of history and the gritty day-to-day work of moving heavy machinery.
What Clark and Howard Towing Actually Does
Most people think a tow company just has those flatbed trucks for Honda Civics. That's not the case here. They handle the "heavy" stuff. I’m talking about buses, motorhomes, and even construction containers. If you’ve ever seen a massive shed moving down the 14 Freeway, there’s a decent chance it was hooked up to one of their rigs.
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They operate out of two main spots. There's the Lancaster hub on 3rd St E and the Palmdale location on East Avenue R. Since they’ve been "Serving the entire Antelope Valley since 1956," they’ve basically seen the desert grow from a few dirt roads into the sprawling suburbia it is now. They offer 24-hour emergency service, but their office hours are surprisingly specific—basically 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and a tiny window on weekend mornings.
Heavy Duty and Specialized Recovery
One thing that sets them apart is their Lowboy service. This isn't for your average sedan. Lowboy trailers are used for hauling massive equipment like bulldozers or industrial machines. They also do 4x4 off-road recovery. If you’ve ever taken your truck into the mud near the Poppy Reserve and realized you aren't as good an off-roader as you thought, these are the folks who come get you.
The Reputation Reality Check
If you look them up online, you’ll see some pretty wild stories. One guy, Phillip S., recently went on a rant about suing them over a DMV registration issue. Another customer, Andy S., claimed they were "in cahoots" with the city.
Is that true? Probably not in the way people think.
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Towing companies often have contracts with local police departments or the city to clear abandoned vehicles or cars with expired tags. When your car gets hauled off because of a "DMV error," it’s easy to blame the guy with the hook. But the tow company is usually just the middleman. They get the call, they pick up the car, and they charge the storage fee. It’s a messy, unpopular business.
On the flip side, you have people like Matt R. and other local drivers who swear by them. They mention drivers who know their business and prices that don't feel like a total shakedown. In the AV, having a driver who actually knows how to straighten a wheel or pull a truck out of a "bad spot" without snapping an axle is worth its weight in gold.
Surviving the Antelope Valley Tow
The AV is a different beast for driving. Between the extreme heat that kills batteries and the high winds that can toss a high-profile vehicle, Clark and Howard Towing stays busy.
"Your business is as good as your people." — Matt R., Local Customer.
That quote actually hits the nail on the head. In a service industry like this, your experience depends entirely on which driver shows up at 2 AM. Most of their staff are radio-dispatched, which is a bit old-school but reliable in areas where cell signals might get spotty out toward Lake Los Angeles or Quartz Hill.
Service Breakdown:
- Emergency Roadside: Jump starts, lockouts, and tire changes.
- Heavy Duty: Buses, RVs, and big rigs.
- Specialty Transport: Storage sheds, construction containers, and small buildings.
- Off-Road: 4x4 recovery for those "stuck in the mud" moments.
Dealing with the Paperwork
If your car ends up at their lot, don't just show up angry. It won't help. They accept credit cards, debit cards, and even NFC mobile payments (Apple/Google Pay), which is a nice modern touch for a company that started in the fifties.
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Tim Jones is the name often associated with the management here. If you have a legitimate beef about a tow, that’s who you’re looking for. Just keep in mind that they are not BBB accredited. That doesn't mean they're a "bad" business—many local shops don't want to pay the fees for accreditation—but it does mean you’re relying on their local reputation rather than a corporate seal of approval.
Actionable Tips for Towing Emergencies
If you find yourself needing a tow in Lancaster or Palmdale, do these things first:
- Verify the Location: Make sure you tell them exactly where you are. Use a landmark or a GPS pin. The desert all looks the same after dark.
- Ask for the "Hook-up" Fee Upfront: Don't wait until the car is on the truck to ask about the price. Ask about the base fee plus the mileage rate.
- Check your Insurance/AAA: Sometimes people call Clark and Howard directly and pay out of pocket, forgetting their insurance might cover it. Interestingly, there's a lot of debate on the Clark Howard (the consumer advocate, not the towing company) forums about whether AAA is even worth it anymore due to long wait times. Sometimes calling a local pro directly is faster.
- Document Everything: If they’re picking up a vehicle from an accident, take photos of your car before it’s towed to ensure no further damage happens during transport.
Clark and Howard Towing is a fixture of the Antelope Valley. They aren't perfect, and they definitely have some salty reviews, but they've survived for 70 years in a desert where businesses go to die. Whether they’re moving a shed or jump-starting a dead battery, they’re part of the local infrastructure that keeps the valley moving.
If you're stuck, call the Lancaster line at 661-940-8112 or the Palmdale line at 661-947-7112. Just be ready for a straightforward, no-nonsense desert experience.