by A Burnaby homeowner called me because he wanted to clean up his backyard. An old Oldsmobile had been sitting there since 2005, and weeds had grown over and around it. The car did not run, the brakes appeared to be seized, and it was parked well inside the property behind a gate near an alley.
The owner was worried that I would not be able to get it out. I looked at the access and told him, “No problem. Open the gate and it can come home with me today.”
Once I positioned the flat deck, connected the winch and started pulling, the Oldsmobile came out without causing the trouble the owner expected. About 20 minutes later, it was loaded and out of his backyard.
If you need junk car removal in Burnaby, call or text Jay at 604-889-4470. Tell me where the vehicle is parked, how long it has been sitting and what stands between it and the tow truck.
A Burnaby Car That Had Not Moved Since 2005
A vehicle can change considerably after sitting outside for more than 20 years. Tires lose air, brakes can seize, vegetation grows underneath it and the ground around the wheels may become soft. Even when the car looks complete, it may no longer roll freely.
This Oldsmobile was sitting in a backyard near the Metrotown area. Tall grass and weeds had grown around the body and wheels. The gate opened toward an alley, but the car was still a fair distance inside the property.
The owner expected a difficult removal. From his point of view, that made sense. The Oldsmobile was large, the brakes looked locked and there was no way to drive it toward the alley.
From my point of view, the important questions were different. Could I position the flat deck safely near the gate? Was there a clear route between the vehicle and the truck? Could I attach the winch securely? Would the Oldsmobile remain controlled while it was being pulled?
Once I checked those details, I knew how I wanted to handle it.
A car that has been sitting for years and needs a bit of work to get out is exactly the kind of job I like. It is not a problem. It is part of the work.
I have been doing this long enough to know that a backyard car can look much harder to remove than it really is. The important part is positioning the truck properly, controlling the vehicle and using the right equipment.
Can a Tow Truck Remove a Car From a Backyard?
Yes, a tow truck can often remove a junk car from a backyard when there is a safe route between the vehicle and the truck.
The tow truck does not always need to drive directly beside the car. A winch can pull a non-running vehicle toward the flat deck when the distance, direction and access allow it.
Every property is different. A wide alley-side gate can make removal easier. Fences, garages, trees, soft ground, steep slopes and sharp turns can change the plan.
The best way to find out whether your vehicle can be removed is to send me photographs showing the car, the gate and the complete route toward the alley or street.
Do not assume the car is impossible to remove because it has been sitting behind the house for years. Let me look at the access first.
What If the Brakes Are Seized?
Seized brakes make a vehicle harder to move, but they do not automatically prevent removal.
A car that has sat since 2005 may resist rolling because rust has developed around the braking components. Flat tires, wheels sunk into the ground and steering that will not turn can add to the problem.
For this Burnaby Oldsmobile, the brakes looked as though they would make the job difficult. The winch and flat deck provided the controlled pulling force needed to bring the car through the gate and onto the truck.
The owner did not have to repair the brakes, install a battery or make the car run first. The vehicle was being removed for recycling, so spending money to make it drive would not have made sense.
The Right Truck Position Made the Difference
Experience matters with a difficult vehicle removal, but positioning matters just as much.
Because the property had alley access, I could back the flat deck toward the gate and line it up with the Oldsmobile. That created a controlled route from the backyard to the truck.
The weeds looked intimidating, but the main issue was whether the winch line could remain clear and whether the car could be pulled without contacting the gate, fence or nearby buildings.
Once the flat deck was positioned near the gate, I connected the winch and brought the Oldsmobile toward the truck. Even with the seized brakes and weeds around the wheels, it was loaded in about 20 minutes.
I also move quickly because a flat deck parked in someone’s driveway or blocking part of an alley can be in the way. Once the truck is positioned, I do not waste time. I want to complete the pickup safely without holding up the homeowner or the neighbours.
That was the time for this particular pickup. Other backyard removals may take longer depending on access, missing wheels, seized brakes, soft ground and the distance between the vehicle and the truck.
What Should I Send Jay Before a Backyard Pickup?
A few useful photographs can answer many questions before the truck is arranged.
- A full photograph of the vehicle
- A photograph of all four wheels if possible
- A photograph looking from the car toward the gate
- A photograph looking from the alley or street toward the vehicle
Also tell me the year, make and model, approximately how long the car has been sitting and whether the keys are available.
Let me know if the tires are flat, if all four wheels are present, if another vehicle or structure blocks the route and whether the ground is pavement, gravel, grass or soft soil.
Accurate information helps me bring the appropriate truck and loading equipment.
Do I Need to Clear All the Weeds First?
You do not necessarily need to clear the entire yard before calling.
Enough vegetation may need to be moved so the vehicle, wheels and safe attachment points can be seen. The route toward the gate also needs to be checked for objects hidden in the grass.
Start by sending pictures. I can explain what should be cleared before the truck arrives.
Do not crawl underneath a deteriorated vehicle or try pulling it with another car. A vehicle that has been sitting for years may have seized wheels, damaged suspension or weak attachment points that are difficult to see through the vegetation.
In the Oldsmobile photographs, weeds were still wrapped around the wheels after loading. That shows how long the car had been sitting and why the homeowner was relieved to have the space back.
Does the Junk Car Have to Run?
No. A junk car does not have to start or drive before I can consider it for pickup.
I remove vehicles with dead batteries, engine or transmission problems, flat tires, seized brakes, accident damage, lost keys and years of outdoor storage.
The condition and access need to be explained before booking. A vehicle missing wheels or major parts can require a different removal plan, so mention anything that is gone or damaged.
You do not have to repair a vehicle before calling me. Tell me what you know about its condition, and I will explain how the pickup can be handled.
Junk Car Removal in Burnaby and Across the Lower Mainland
I provide junk car removal across the Lower Mainland, and this Oldsmobile pickup was part of that service in the Burnaby area near Metrotown.
I also pick up vehicles throughout Burnaby, including South Slope, Edmonds, Deer Lake, Brentwood, Capitol Hill, Burnaby Heights and Lake City. These locations describe the areas I serve. Customer pickup addresses remain private.
Properties across the Lower Mainland can present very different removal problems. Some vehicles are parked beside busy roads. Others are behind houses, deep in long driveways or surrounded by years of plant growth.
Tell me where the car is parked and send pictures so I can plan the pickup properly.
How Burnaby Junk Car Pickup Works
Call or text Jay at 604-889-4470 and describe the vehicle.
I will ask for the year, make, model, condition and location. For a difficult backyard removal, send photographs of the vehicle and the access route.
You will receive a quote and pickup details before agreeing to the job. Cash is paid on pickup before loading. I bring the normal vehicle-transfer paperwork when appropriate.
Have your photo identification and vehicle registration available if you have them. Tell me beforehand if the keys, registration or licence plates present a problem.
For more information, read what documents you need to scrap a car in BC and what to ask before booking scrap car removal in Burnaby.
What Happens After Pickup?
I provide the towing and work with local recycling partners. The vehicle enters the recycling process so metals and other usable materials can be recovered and automotive fluids can be handled properly.
You can also read more about how scrap car recycling works.
The Burnaby homeowner got his backyard space back after looking at the same Oldsmobile since 2005. What appeared to be a major removal problem became a manageable job once I positioned the truck and connected the winch.
Burnaby Backyard Car Removal Questions
Can you remove a car that has been sitting for 20 years?
Often, yes. The length of time matters because the tires, brakes and steering may no longer move normally, but the vehicle may still be removed with a winch and flat deck. Send pictures so I can assess the access and condition.
Can you remove a car through an alley-side gate?
An alley-side gate can provide useful access when the tow truck can be positioned safely. The gate width, distance, turning angle and objects along the route all matter.
What if the car has seized brakes?
A vehicle with seized brakes may still be winched onto a flat deck. Tell me before the appointment so the condition can be included in the removal plan.
Should I repair the car before calling?
No. If the vehicle is being sold for junk or recycling, you do not need to make it run first. Describe its condition honestly and I will explain the pickup options.
How long does backyard junk car removal take?
This Oldsmobile was loaded in about 20 minutes once the truck was positioned. Other jobs may take longer depending on the access, missing wheels, seized brakes, soft ground and distance from the truck.
What if I do not have the keys?
Tell me before booking the pickup. Keys are helpful for steering and shifting the vehicle, but a missing key does not always prevent removal. The vehicle’s location and condition will help determine what is possible.
Jay Can Help With a Difficult Burnaby Removal
A junk car sitting behind a gate may look impossible to move, especially after weeds have grown around it and the brakes have seized. That does not mean it has to remain there.
A car that needs a bit of work to get out is the kind of job I enjoy. I have the equipment and experience to look at the situation, work out a plan and get the vehicle moving.
Call or text Jay’s Junk Car Towing at 604-889-4470. Send photographs of the vehicle and the route to the alley or street. I can review the access, explain the removal and help you reclaim the space.
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