If you break down on I-80 between Altoona and Des Moines plan on spending $500. This is who Iowa State Patrol calls to tow you when your AAA is taking too long. They have $190 emergency response fee, $150 hookup fee, $19.99 credit card fee, and $3.47/mile starting when they leave their shop. Total rip off.
We were towed to MAD J.after a very scary accident on 35 with our small RV. We were so thankful for the kindness of your tow driver He showed great concern for our comfort and welfare. He allowed us to stay with our RV so we could take care of our dogs. We also needed to find medications etc in the interior jumble of our camper. Everyone at this business was very friendly and professional. I would highly recommend there services.
I run a medium sized fleet for Sysco. I had heard Mad J was a good reliable and viable option for towing. The winter of 23/24 was bad for us. I tried Mad J, they came thru in our time of need over and over again. I then found out they have an excellent shop. They do work for us when we have too much and can't get it done. They have helped us out in more ways than I can mention. Mad J is my go to for towing and road call repairs. This is a great company, they will have your back, even when you don't.
Alert ‼ staye away rip off Sent trailer for air bag change after confirming they have time and parts Understandable there multiple type of air bags Truck check in 10:30am They fixed and billed by 1pm Till charge 4.5 hrs labor Total charge was $1515 for 2 air bags After little argument they took 100 and no credit cards fee Still bill was 1400 If I have choose petro cross highway their bill would be lot less. After argue manger said they charge by book doesn’t matter even it get fixed in less time, when they started didn’t gave no estimate didn’t mentioned they don’t have parts took advantage of trailer in their shop. This repair in their shop not on road not after in regular business hours. I don’t know how they have 4.5 reviews that’s what I fall into those reviews seem fake.
This is by far the best company for towing and repairs that I have ever worked with. Staff is friendly, service is fast, and you are always going to get a fair price and quality repairs. I would recommend them every time!!
UPDATE 03/11/2025: After getting in touch with management at MAD J Repair & Towing, Inc. and upon reviewing the invoice, it was discovered that the invoice was erroneously prepared and tendered for payment. Management was super quick about revising the invoice, and sincerely apologetic over it being issued that way in the first place. The invoice was promptly corrected, and the refund issued. Mistakes can happen, and I certainly do not hold that against any company. Honesty and integrity is rare in the towing business, and their willingness to make it right earned them the extra 4 stars. They've gone from the DNU list to a preferred vendor. Thank you MAD J Repair & Towing, Inc. for the services provided. Would definitely use again.
[ORIGINAL REVIEW 03/05/2025] I can't say they did not do their job, but they are exceptionally predatory in their pricing. The unit in the picture was winched out about 50 feet, off flat, frozen ground, unhooked, and the driver was able to drive away. There was nothing special about the tow. Driver was simply stuck in the snow in median after avoiding the the rest of the carnage on the road caused by blizzard conditions. The charge, $3,847.38 USD. Unfortunately for us, this tow was called in by Iowa State Police, and we did not have the opportunity to select our own tow company. Competitive quotes for the same tow were less than $800.00 USD. Our insurance captive (ARU) has added them to the Do Not Use list. I absolutely would not recommend this company if you have a choice.
I've worked all over the United States in Equipment, Oilfield, and Trucking related industries. Mad J Repair & Towing is absolutely the best company I have ever worked with and the only company that I trust with my equipment. I have been in countless challenging situations and called on Mad J for help. They answer the bell every single time! I can't say enough good things about Mad J Repair & Towing
Did Job they was asked to, but the way they try to squeeze money from you is ridiculous.... first I had attitude when I asked for written estimate I was told I'm gonna have to wait it till tomorrow, when I told we wait, we got estimate in next half hour with things we did not ask to repair....they took that of the estimate but during repairs start pushing us to do more repairs, talking about safety when repairs not needed to be done....pushy all the way through the visit, very aggressive business tactics... Guys just do the job you asked, don't be greedy.
A+ service!!! Will be my first call in the future if I need towed again! The team there made sure I was a priority and got my car where it needed to be right away. Thank you!
We were towed here yesterday by I forget his name. Very personable. He and my husband chatted all the way to the shop after this guy got us out of -5 temperatures. They got us in the shop kept us updated as to what was going on and got us out in a day. Thank you , thank you, thank you. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
Shopped around found this place…. Shop down the street was going to charge me close to 1000$ for everything my price was reasonable 294$ honest and diligent people definitely a go to spot when driving through Iowa thank you for the fast response on the work needed. -Qwn Express LLC
We had one of our drivers stop by this shop for a malfunctioning trailer spring brake valve, they were able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly and at a very reasonable price. Above all the customer service given by both the shop and in the office was excellent! We highly recommend using MAD J.
Had an air line fitting break off the brake cannister on the trailer around noon during regular business hours. They got out there pretty quick and fixed it up. $175.00 Service Call $165.00 an hour with a 2 hour minimum = $505.00 to show up $26.00 shop fee (?) + $24.00 credit card charge = $555.00 to change a $29.00 fitting. It was 7.4 miles from their shop to where the truck was broke down at on Delaware Ave. in Des Moines. At a time when fuel is high and rates are a joke, here comes these guys. Should have shopped around but they were recommended by the warehouse we had doing a load rework. Nobody's fault but my own. Just saying, shop around.
I would recomend these folks as your first choice for towing and service. You don't find folks like this in the service industry, they go above and beyond the call of duty in any time of day. We appreciate the service and we will call when we need any type of help in the future
I am so happy I used Mad J; not only was their response time super quick, the truck driver Payton was super careful with my Tesla, he took great care to not further damage my car after the accident.
He also was super patient when Willis Automotive refused to accept it and took me to Grahmn Collision (Apparently the only certified Tesla collision repair shop in town).
For such a sad day for my Tesla, they were definitely the bright spot.
Im not the type to write a review but it’s very much needed to for this company because I was very stunned with their work ethic. John and his crew are amazing at what they do. I was stuck in a ditch in which I first called Ankeny Towing that was recommended by the state patrol, however they weren’t able to get my car out after waiting for so long just for the 2 tow trucks not being able to pull it out. I was then recommended to Mad J Towing; without hesitation I knew they could get the job done and they did within 30 minutes! I really hope that state patrols would recommend this company rather than any because it’ll just be a waste of time trying to find any other tow companies in the Metro. Highly recommended!
Horrible service. My son got pulled over at around 1am on a Sunday morning. They ended up charging 428 n some odd dollars on Monday morning. When I asked why so much, the receptionist said because of it being an emergency tow, and 3 days of storage, equalled that amount. I reminded her that they didn't take possession of the car until until Sunday (since it was 1am), and she then informed me that that was considered a Saturday night. Since when can tow truck companies change the time the new day started (which I was always taught that it started at 12am)? Exploitation to the max!!! STAY AWAY from these, "make their own rules company!"
September 3, 2020 the turbor on my Detroit S-60 decided it needed a long weekend so on my way to the FlyingJ in Altoona Iowa it went into self destruct mode. I called the Peterbilt dealer, they gave me MAD J TOWING's number and a big man named Peyton showed up. Professional and knowledgeable and a wealth of knowledge. Many thanks to Peyton.
The peterbilt garage couldn't do anything to the following week and I needed some help.
Meet John the owner. On a Saturday of a holiday weekend after John ran his shift, at night he picked me up at the hotel, brought me and my new turbo to his shop to drill out the base housing 2mm larger and installed it.
He made sure everything fit.
I can't say enough thanks for what he did and his man Peyton did. Great honest men. Cal them when you need help, you won't be disappointed.
Not that I enjoy ever having to use a towing company, but mad J came through for me. Peyton was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and did an excellent job getting my boat and trailer back safely to my house. I would have to say it is probably the best towing experience I have ever had and definitely at an extremely reasonable rate. Thanks again.
My tire blew out right before First Street in Ankeny around rush hour and if you live in the area, you can imagine how bad the traffic was. Mad J was there to save the day! Payton was extremely friendly and understanding. He got me safely out of that area and put on my spare tire. The service was very well priced!
Never caught the guys name but whoever picked up a couple from Wisconsin just on the north side of Des Moines on the interstate is a gem. Thanks for helping us out dude! You rock!
These guys are amazing! Right after the tow ban they followed up with me letting me know when a crew member could get my truck out. They were busy and made sure someone got to me. The guy i worked with was John, amazing guy let me know what was going on and bam right out of the ditch. Give these guys a call if you need help!
On my way to the Des Moines area my turbo diesel pickup lost power while pulling up hills. I was able to limp to the camp ground and park the camper. Mad J was recommended to me, they proved why they were recommended!! They quickly diagnosed that the turbo was the problem and gave me an estimate. They not only stayed late to complete the repairs, the bill was less than what they estimated!! I highly recommend!!
I just want to say, That anytime I have contacted MAD J, I have always be treated with respect and taken care of in a timely matter. They have a very friendly, courtesy staff. Anytime day or night, they have been available to get me going. I highly recommend MAD J Repair and Towing!
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