Do you use a Recovery Service?

Ian M · 10 January 2007, 18:25

In case the un-thinkable happened to my trailer when going to or from a launch site, I decided that I wanted to have the re-assurance of a recovery service. I remembered an article in RIB International that stated that the best place to get such a service was the Caravan Club, as they are set up to recover tow vehicles and substantial towed loads.
I spoke to the Caravan Club recovery service, Mayday, and was told that I needed to join the Caravan Club first. So I contacted them and tried to join, but was told that without a caravan or motorhome I would not be allowed to join! Why not?

I have now spoken to Greenflag, who run the Mayday service for the Caravan Club, and they state that they only have the assets to recover a trailer of some 8 metres under an agreement with the Caravan Club! They do not offer recovery of large trailers in their own name.

Do any RIBnetters use a recovery service? If so can you tell me which one? As the article in RIB int stated, can you be sure that when they turn up to recover you and your huge boat and trailer, they will actually be able to recover you?

Many state they can, but the experience of the author of the RIB Int article was that this is often NOT the case.
Topgear seem to do a nice line in demolishing caravans, I think I will see if I can join in with them next.

Jimbo · 10 January 2007, 18:27

Last time I called them (back when I was a member) the AA said they would cover a trailer.

The RAC, who I am with now, say they won't.

Tim M · 10 January 2007, 18:33

The AA have assisted me with a trailer twice. Once they were able to sort the problem by the side of the road (flat tyre, didn't have a spare - they went and bought one and brought it back). The second time the trailer had to be recovered (from Portsmouth to Norwich - flat tyre again (you would have thought I would have learnt after the first time) no spare wheel, but becasue it was 6 in the evening they couldnt get another tyre) . They did this without any hesitation.

I'm with Norwich Union rescue now (due to the AA banning our family as we called them out "too many times") and have additional trailer cover which covers any trailer up to 7m. This service is provided by the RAC.

Ian M · 10 January 2007, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Last time I called them (back when I was a member) the AA said they would cover a trailer.

The RAC, who I am with now, say they won't.

Jimbo,
Thanks for that. Another article, RIB Int June/July 2004 covered the AA recovery service, and it does not show the AA in a very good light when it comes to recovering a boat and trailer!

Ian M · 10 January 2007, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

I'm with Norwich Union rescue now (due to the AA banning our family as we called them out "too many times") and have additional trailer cover which covers any trailer up to 7m. This service is provided by the RAC.

Tim,
Thanks for that as well

Unfortunately, the 8m I quoted was not theoretical, s'pose I could always take a hacksaw to the draw bar when in dire emergency

ashbypower · 10 January 2007, 19:03

Were with these guy's http://www.britanniarescue.com/ recovered us on one occasion by Craning trailer onto a flat bed

A good service by our experience.

Brian

hamster · 10 January 2007, 19:34

myself and my otherhalf have been with the AA for about 5 years now. While she has used them many times (she will insist on having old bangers from her old man who is supposed to be a mechanic!) I had never used them till I was coming back from the Lakes with boat on back one sunday nit last year and my otherwise imaculate sierra estate decided it no longer liked one of its conrods and was going to throw it through the side of the crankcase at 11.30 on the M27. Lots of colourfull language!!!!
Called AA, told them I had a trailer on back, no problem nice lady said they'll be with you iin 20 mins. 15 minutes later not one but two tow trucks turned up. Car on one and boat and trailer on the other. They took me home, dropped the car of and then the guy in other truck kindly agreed to wait while I unloaded my camping gear out of the boat and then take the boat down to the sailing club where I keep it and drop me back at home again. Couldn't fault the service.

Poly · 10 January 2007, 19:49

I have been recovered by Direct Line Rescue who subcontract it to GreenFlag (following a slashed tyre on a holiday weekend

- no spare and nowhere to get one).

They did a very good job and even ensured I got the trailer back inside my garage (up a relatively steep driveway with a kerb to clear - no easy task with a flat tyre). Communication between the parties wasn't great (you call Direct Line who call Green Flag, who call a local garage/franchise). Somewhere in this chain they managed to misinform the recovery operator that the problem was with the car not the trailer (so they were planning to put car on flatbed and tow the trailer) it took three vehicles and several hours in the end to get one suitable for my (very small) trailer.
But they managed in the end - and there was never a suggestion that they would not cover it.

I now religously carry a spare (had carried the foam stuff - but no use).

Top banana · 10 January 2007, 21:19

We use international breakdown who are the only company i think who guarantee to recover the trailer even if the tow vehicle hasnt broke down.
the only stipulation is that the trailer length doesnt exceed 7.5m in length and 2.4 m wide, all for 69.00, we had simillar problems with AA who informed me that they cover the car not the trailer, but will use there discretion in all cases, and in my case refused asistance because the wheel bearing had collapsed, wheras international breakdown cover both car and trailer

Biggles · 10 January 2007, 21:28

Guess International Breakdown will be getting a call from me when my Recovery is due renewal. Have you got a link please ?

Top banana · 10 January 2007, 21:38

Ive got the web site if that helps www.internationalbreakdown.com
i had the site off ian sharlot ribnet member. and even rang them to double check. most recovery services will tow your trailer back if the tow vehicle breaks down, but if the trailer breaks instead then your taking a chance that there feeling generous.

rickuk3 · 10 January 2007, 22:01

On the way back from the Folly cruise in December one of the wheel bearings on the trailer collapsed, Vauxhall give free 3 year AA breakdown cover with new cars so I rang them, they took the details and said no problem we will have a truck there in 40 mins and relay you to the nearest garage, asked if they could not just relay the traler back home, short answer was 'no not on Vauxhall cover'. Luckily Bob who was with me had his AA card so asked about doing it on his card 'no problem', truck arrived, loaded trailer on the truck and relayed it back from A34 Newbury to my yard in Milton Keynes.

Top banana · 10 January 2007, 22:20

I think allot depends on how big the boat and trailer is, if they can get it on there biggest flat bed then they will more or less recover you. When they have to get the bigger trucks in then as in my case they refused to pay for the tow, but would tow me if i paid the 220.00 recovery, I politelly refused.
and so descided to find recovery that included the trailer from the start. and when your 200 miles from home on a sunday with no wheel cause you cant find it and a stripped hub its not very enjoyable.

Jono Garton · 11 January 2007, 09:37

I just phoned international breakdown to take up cover, they said their policy for trailers is-

The Car & Trailer must not be longer than 7.5m, Wider than 3m, higher than 2.25m and be heavier than 3500kg

Any other suggestions?

wavelength · 11 January 2007, 11:08

Quote:

Any other suggestions

jono-tell the caravan club you still have your caravan, join and then use their mayday service. They have changed two trailer wheels for me on the motorway (I carry a spare but dont change offside wheels on the hard shoulder- a diver mate of mine was killed doing just that! Therefore we call a man with a big truck and lotsa flashing yellow lights to protect the work area! ) and they also recovered to home a boat & trailer belonging to a friend that we were towing over to Ireland (The wheel studs sheared in mid wales)- with absolutely no problems. Whereas the RAC refused to help with a wheel bearing problem on a boat trailer belonging to a client-(if the car had broken down we would recover your trailer and car madam,but not if it is just a trailer problem).

Jono Garton · 11 January 2007, 13:18

cheers Dave

However just this minute joined the AA, £85 for me and Amy in any car any size trailer under 3500kg even if the trailer is the fault. They have just changed their policy to this for trailers.

Jono

wavelength · 11 January 2007, 14:11

that sounds a reasonable deal. Ya need something for peace of mind. As I said I will never change a wheel, particularly an offside one, on the hard shoulder if I can possibly help it. The problem with my diver friend was that he was profoundly deaf from birth. Despite his disability he lived live to the full. I taught him to dive and he was a brilliant pupil cos, with his lack of hearing, comms in the underwater world was no challenge to him. However he literally never heard the lorry that got him on the motorway. So the moral of the story is to get a man with a truck and loadsa warning lights to do it for ya.

Top banana · 11 January 2007, 15:00

Just had the policy document out for international breakdown and it clearly states that caravan or trailer cover is included as long as it doesnt exceed those limits, and the same apply to the tow vehicle, not combined,
The AA must have cottened on to a good idea, as they refused me asistance
and many more disgruntled folk i guess

Jono Garton · 11 January 2007, 15:13

id drop international a line as ive doubled checked with a manager there.

Jono

Top banana · 11 January 2007, 16:31

Have you a link to the AA recovery as mines due for renewal and can compare policys, have just spoken to international breakdown and they assure me that trailer length is covered upto 7m in length seperately from the tow vehicle which allso is 7m and that is clearly what it states in the policy. allso the last time the wheel came off the rac towed boat back to wales, and we carried on with our journey without hesitation so it pays to ask all the right questions when you take out the cover,