Porta Potty Forum

Service truck stuck in muddy field. Who pays for the tow?

Luis A.asked 0 viewsDelivery, Placement & ServicingTruck accessPlacementMissed serviceService visitStandard unit

We have a standard portable toilet and a deluxe unit with a flushing bowl and sink for our seasonal crew of 12, placed in a field about 200 feet from the gravel road. The rental company's vacuum truck services them weekly. After three days of rain, the field turned to mud. Yesterday, the driver tried to reach the units and got the truck stuck up to the axles. I had to call a tow truck to pull it out. The rental company says I'm responsible for the tow bill because the access wasn't firm. I thought they checked the ground before driving on it. Who pays for the tow in this situation? Does the contract usually cover this?

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Kim S.Raleigh, NC

You are responsible for the tow bill. The rental contract almost always requires the customer to provide firm, all-weather truck access to the portable toilets for every service visit. This is a standard clause because the driver cannot predict ground conditions days or weeks in advance, especially after weather changes.

The driver relies on the access you described at delivery. Mud after three days of rain is an unforeseen condition, but the contract places the burden on you to maintain access. If the path isn't drivable, you should contact the rental company to reschedule service until the ground firms up. They would note a missed service, but that avoids a stuck truck.

For your crew of 12, OSHA 1926.51 requires only one toilet, so your two units are more than sufficient. The deluxe unit with a sink may need more frequent servicing due to the fresh water tank and gray water disposal, but weekly service is typical. Always confirm truck access before the service day to prevent issues like this.

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