Trailer Breakdown

nickl · 02 October 2007, 23:01

Anyone know whether anyone offers boat trailer breakdown insurance? I've just discovered the RAC doesn't! They'll recover the trailer if the car breaks down, but if say a wheel bearing went on the trailer I'd be stuck. What do other ribsters do?
Cheers
Nick

Nos4r2 · 02 October 2007, 23:08

Most of us are in that boat too.
I do remember someone saying that if you got breakdown cover with one of the big boys via the Caravan Club you could possibly get trailer cover too though.

Biggles · 02 October 2007, 23:09

I went with International Breakdown. After researching this on here. Paid a lot more than I normally do. About £130 for two cars plus trailer.

But when I took the policy out in May I quizzed them on the phone and they were adamant that they would recover my trailer come what may. Haven't used them yet so can't vouch for that side of things.

Also last month I received a notification that they were being administered by another company and the policy had changed slightly.

If you go down the International Breakdown route ring them and ask if your wheel falls off the trailer but the car is akoy will they recover.

They told me anything under 7.5 meters would be okay for total trailer length.

Keep us posted as up to date info on this sort of thing is always handy.

NR.

rickuk3 · 02 October 2007, 23:14

I am with the AA, when I had a bearing failure last year they recovered the trailer with no questions.
Richard

davetpk · 03 October 2007, 00:00

I was in the AA until this year and always got a different answer when I challenged their call centre on the exact cover for a trailer - ranged from none unless the car has broken down to up to half an hour at the roadside only with best endeavours to fix it and arrange a recovery at extra cost if we can't.

I removed the doubts by joining the Caravan Club and getting their Green Flag members breakdown cover (different to general public offering). After including the £35 a year CC membership it still only cost a total extra £5 compared to what I'd been paying the AA.

when I rang the AA to cancel & they asked why I explained I couldn't get a definite answer on trailers and they made no attempt to convince me otherwise to retain the business. No doubt there are those that did get help and those that were rejected but for an extra fiver I was happy not to risk it. The CC version also includes recovery to your destination so if the car broke down on the way they could still get my trailer and boat to our holiday destination so I could carry on with a boating holiday while the car was fixed.

The European cover i took out for 2 weeks in July even specified it was a boat on a trailer so there was definitely no issue with it not being a caravan.

Dave

Stoo · 03 October 2007, 03:20

Over here, the CAA offers "RV" service for a premium which includes removing a trailer on a flatbed if necessary... at a significant premium...

bedajim · 03 October 2007, 08:10

I'm with these guys

Worth a look as they offer a range of cover for trailers and boat engines, but your car needs other cover

www.marinesupport.co.uk

Slaphead · 03 October 2007, 10:56

And for those who don't have any cover...
I was towing a small boat down the M6 from Cumbria to the Liverpool ferry terminal last Sunday when I got a puncture near Junct.32... no spare of course. The Highways Agency supplied me with a number of a contracted recovery guy from Blackpool who came out and replaced the 8" wheel and tyre.
Price £211

Lesson learned.
I had previously been with the AA but they refused to help me with a trailer breakdown in the Republic of Ireland because I didn't have European Breakdown cover... even though I was only 70 miles from home and lived in the same country.

Rogue Wave · 03 October 2007, 11:06

In answer to your excet question I'm fairly certain that nobody does, so I'd take the prevention is better than cure route and keep your trailer bearings in tippy top condition.

I do have recovery insurance mine is with Direct line/green Flag and the trailer will get recovered I also know that the top AA membership will sort you a recovery

bedajim · 03 October 2007, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

In answer to your excet question I'm fairly certain that nobody does, so I'd take the prevention is better than cure route and keep your trailer bearings in tippy top condition.

I do have recovery insurance mine is with Direct line/green Flag and the trailer will get recovered I also know that the top AA membership will sort you a recovery

They do have a look at the website about £46 a year even bring a spare wheel out if you need it

www.marinesupport.co.uk

Rogue Wave · 03 October 2007, 13:45

Looks good!
Does this mean that RAC vams are now running around with a range of trailer bearings and maybe brake parts?

Or would they go and collect the parts from the nearest trailer place, if it was open,

or would they just relay you home or to your onward destintion?

the Website seems to be ubclear about what they will do

ashbypower · 03 October 2007, 13:56

Brittania Rescue, covers Car and Trailer, used them twice for trailer recovery brilliant.

Hightower · 03 October 2007, 14:24

Ashbypower's right Britannia Rescue are great, have a look here

And you can get personal cover which covers any car your driving too.

Jackwabbit · 03 October 2007, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Brittania Rescue, covers Car and Trailer, used them twice for trailer recovery brilliant.

Same here! once comming back from Cornwall & the second time just after leaving home & getting on the M25.

They did say if the trailer wheels were wider than the flatbed then there could be a problem, but the recovery man said no problem just wheel the trailer over the bed & pull it up with the trailer sitting on its axle.

bedajim · 03 October 2007, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Looks good!
Does this mean that RAC vams are now running around with a range of trailer bearings and maybe brake parts?

Or would they go and collect the parts from the nearest trailer place, if it was open,

or would they just relay you home or to your onward destintion?

the Website seems to be ubclear about what they will do

Not sure but he said they would either get me home or to where i wanted to go and they took details

Wheel/ tyre size
trailer weight etc

I was more interested in me and my loved ones (boat & wife) not being left at the side of the road

Tim M · 03 October 2007, 18:25

AA have recovered trailers for me on 2 occastions with no problems at all, even a 250 mile recovery home!

mhb100 · 06 October 2007, 20:56

AA's been good to be too - although they did confirm the max length limit was around 18" - cant remember exactly....but with my 5.5m rib its not been a problem.

Having said that i carry a spare wheel, hub with a pressed in bearing and new lock nut - so this avoids the disputes and the £250 recovery bills.... it still amazes me how many still dont seem to carry spare bearings or even a spare wheel!

ian parkes · 06 October 2007, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhb100

AA's been good to be too - although they did confirm the max length limit was around 18" - cant remember exactly....but with my 5.5m rib its not been a problem.

Having said that i carry a spare wheel, hub with a pressed in bearing and new lock nut - so this avoids the disputes and the £250 recovery bills.... it still amazes me how many still dont seem to carry spare bearings or even a spare wheel!

Doesn't that sum it up really , unless your trailer is a rusting heap thats about to break in half , what else can go wrong ? other than tyres and bearings , carrying spares is surely the best insurance .

Biggles · 06 October 2007, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Doesn't that sum it up really , unless your trailer is a rusting heap thats about to break in half , what else can go wrong ? other than tyres and bearings , carrying spares is surely the best insurance .

I carry the spares. Wheel and bearings. I can change the wheel but I couldn't change the bearings. Would the recovery bloke be able to change the bearings ? Is that part of the agreement ? I'm with International breakdown who have assured me they would recover my trailer.

They better do because it cost tons of dosh !!!!

ian parkes · 07 October 2007, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

I carry the spares. Wheel and bearings. I can change the wheel but I couldn't change the bearings. Would the recovery bloke be able to change the bearings ? Is that part of the agreement ? I'm with International breakdown who have assured me they would recover my trailer.

They better do because it cost tons of dosh !!!!

I dunno ,if you asked politely and gave him some beer vouchers Iam sure he would oblige Its an easy job with the right tool

The RAC / AA patrol men are very helpful once you get past the red tape at the office .

I had a misfire on my seat V5 . I knew it was one of the 5 coils but which one ??
I stopped a few miles from home and called the RAC , the patrol man conected the car to his laptop , told me which coil , then he followed me home , and cancelled the fault code . All I had to do was get a coil and fit it ,saving me about £150 for the dealer to do the 2 min computer job.