Recovery truck insurance

[pmc_3]

Been thinking about getting one as doing a bit of fixing some cheap motors to sell on and saves the hassle of a trailer. I've read threads on here about people recommending certain trucks and to get the best you can afford. How much do people pay for cover on theres? I know it will differ depending on circumstances but just to get a vague idea whether its worth considering. If its not then I think i'll get a proper trailer, Brian James/Ifor Williams jobbie

[Allvaux]

Your insurance will depend on what you intend to do with the truck. Some don't like scrap work, some don't mind. The real cost will come if you intend to pick up other people's cars on their behalf as you'll need 'goods in transit' insurance which won't be cheap.
To be honest you're better off getting trade insurance which will cover you for the truck and your own cars and (possibly) not bothering collecting cars for the owners.

Oh and just remember to keep away from the following: 1) Ivecos 2) anything listed as MOT exempt (99% of them are not) 3) Ivecos 4) anything without a decent, top quality winch (i.e not some crappy Chinese **** form eBay) and 5) Ivecos.
Personally speaking I reckon spec lifts are a bit of a waste of time as you're slightly limited to what you can two with them. Oh, and don't get an Iveco.

[elitedriver]

Proper levels of insurance will be anything from £1500 to £3500. Also the laws regarding towing/recovery are a minefield, you need to know your towing weights and anything transit based or equivalent sized is a total waste of time, you can't carry anything on them. Also if you are towing for hire and reward which in effect you are then you need a tacho (£2000 fitted). Allvaux has obviously got his own reasons for not having an iveco or a spec lift but i have a 6.5 ton iveco spec lift with a 3500kg underlift an it'll lift anything, it's a 2002 6 speed 170bhp 2.8td, 7 seater, it's got cruise control, electrics pack, 15000kg ramsey winch and a nice comfy hgv style air ride seat and arm rests for long journeys, i'm in it every day and she never misses a beat. It's MOT exempt ( classed as a mobile crane ) but every 3 months i stick it in for an "MOT" to make sure she's bang on. I also have a 4x4 and a top of the range Brian James Tilt Bed trailer ( 18t x 6ft6 ) (trailer and 4x4 will tow 3500kg so covers most things ) that i use if need to, i find beavertails hard work, it's all down to personal preference really, i've had a few specs now. I'm looking into getting a couple of 10ton tilt and slide Renaults now i've got the room, but that's a different game altogether. Think long and hard before you jump, i would consider using a local specialist and just building the transport costs into the car price etc.

[Allvaux]

I see your point Elitedriver but for collecting 'permanent 4x4s, damaged cars or rwd automatics then a spec lift restricts you some what. Obviously a slide bed would be the best all rounder but they fetch crazy money.
I mentioned the 'MOT exempt' bit because so many people try and offload 3.5 tonne vehicles or beavertails/slidebeds etc as MOT exempt when they're not. No 3.5 tonne recovery truck is test exempt no matter what anyone says or what form they get from the Post Office. The only truly MOT exempt ones are like your's (as you will know) and have to be over 3.5 tonnes and spec lift only. Even then if you scrap a car and bring the wheels (or other) parts home on the back of it you're technically breaking the law because you're carrying goods.

Also anything over 3.5 tonnes means tachographs, 6 weekly inspections and an 'O' licence which don't seem worth the hassle if you're part time tbh. I don't like Ivecos because of six years of driving them. Unreliable to an extreme in my experience sorry.

[pmc_3]

Think i'll just upgrade the trailer to a nice galvanised twin axle jobbie then. For the amount I use it a recovery truck just wouldnt be worth it especially looking at the insurance etc mentioned above! Cheers for the advice

[elitedriver]

I see your point Elitedriver but for collecting 'permanent 4x4s, damaged cars or rwd automatics then a spec lift restricts you some what. Obviously a slide bed would be the best all rounder but they fetch crazy money.
I mentioned the 'MOT exempt' bit because so many people try and offload 3.5 tonne vehicles or beavertails/slidebeds etc as MOT exempt when they're not. No 3.5 tonne recovery truck is test exempt no matter what anyone says or what form they get from the Post Office. The only truly MOT exempt ones are like your's (as you will know) and have to be over 3.5 tonnes and spec lift only. Even then if you scrap a car and bring the wheels (or other) parts home on the back of it you're technically breaking the law because you're carrying goods.

Also anything over 3.5 tonnes means tachographs, 6 weekly inspections and an 'O' licence which don't seem worth the hassle if you're part time tbh. I don't like Ivecos because of six years of driving them. Unreliable to an extreme in my experience sorry.

Oh hell, the spec doesn't do it all, i don't think there's any one vehicle that does it all, the spec is great for easy in and out straight forwar stuff, if i need anything that needs a total lift i use the trailer. As i only use it for stuff i want, i make my decisions based on what i'm picking up. Buying a recovery vehicle for a hobby just isn't viable.

[Allvaux]

Good pint chief. I'd have thought the best 'all rounder' would be a slide bed but they fetch stupid money. Like you say for a livelihood then you want the best and most suitable truck you can.
I'm going to get another before too long but a late Mk3 Transit with a decent beavertail and a good winch will do me just fine.