Vehicle breakdown is something that can affect any motorist, including truck drivers. But, as the ones driving the vehicles that usually rescue other vehicles that have broken down, how are trucks recovered when they break down?
Given their size, it’s naturally harder for a truck to be recovered than a car. As such, specialist recovery is often required in the event of a truck breaking down. We offer just that here at Euroroute Recovery.
We’ll be covering the process of our truck tow service in this guide. Discussing when a truck towing service may be required, what the process involves and the benefits it offers, read on to ensure you know what to do and expect if you find yourself in need of such assistance.
When May Truck Recovery Be Required?
Breakdown
One of the most common reasons for any vehicle requiring recovery is if it has experienced a breakdown on the road.
There are various failures that may occur that could subsequently cause your truck to break down. These may include:
● Engine failure: This could be caused by a variety of factors, such as a broken timing belt or a seized engine.
● Transmission failure: A malfunctioning transmission can prevent the truck from shifting gears properly.
● Brake failure: Faulty brakes can make it difficult or impossible to stop the truck.
● Tire blowout: A blown tire can cause the truck to lose control and potentially roll over.
If your truck breaks down and cannot be reasonably or safely driven any further, then it’s time to call for roadside assistance. You should exit the road if it is safe and feasible to do so with the remaining driving time you have left, or, if this is not possible, pull over in the safest spot you can (or on the hard shoulder if on the motorway) and turn on your hazard lights.
Accidents
If your truck is involved in an accident on the road (such as a collision or a crash), then it’s important to always ensure the safety of yourself and others involved first and foremost. You should exit the vehicle if it is safe to do so and call the relevant emergency services if necessary.
If your truck has become damaged and is thus inoperable, then a recovery service will be required to tow it away.
Terrain Issues
Whilst not necessarily as common, in some circumstances it is possible for a truck to become stuck depending on the terrain over which it is driving.
For example, a truck may become stuck in mud, snow or other difficult terrain, in which case it would need the assistance of another vehicle with the ability to tow it out. This is where truck recovery services would be necessary, as they would have access to the appropriate vehicles and solutions to effectively do this.
Truck Towing and Recovery: The Process
1. Call for Assistance
If you’re unable to drive your truck for any of the aforementioned (or other) reasons and require assistance, then the first step in the process is to call for assistance.
If you’re in need of truck recovery in Scotland, then you can call us here at Euroroute Recovery on 03 300 300 100. We offer 24/7 recovery assistance, so you can rest assured that we’ll be there to answer your call no matter the time of day or night.
You’ll simply need to tell us your vehicle, situation and (most importantly) your location, so that we can dispatch a recovery vehicle directly to you.
2. Load Transfer
In some circumstances, consideration should be taken for any cargo that your truck is carrying, as this may need to be transferred before recovery takes place.
For example, cargo inside your truck may shift whilst your truck is positioned ready for towing, could reduce the stability of the truck as it's being towed or (when considered alongside the weight of the truck itself) may exceed the maximum capacity the recovery vehicle is able to safely tow.
If this is the case, then your truck may first need to be unloaded and transferred to another vehicle before it is towed away. Similarly, if it’s carrying hazardous materials, then special procedures will likely need to be taken to ensure safety during the recovery process.
3. Winch Recovery
Our truck-towing vehicles are equipped with integrated winch systems, which will efficiently and reliably lift your truck.
We’ll attach the winch cables to the chassis of your truck at specific points, then will engage the winch - at which point, it will pull your truck onto the towing platform. Once the truck is in position, it will be further secured using additional chains and straps to ensure movement is prevented during transport back to our garage.
4. Truck Repair
Once a truck has been recovered, the next step is to assess the extent of the damage. If the damage is relatively minor, such as a flat tire or a minor engine issue, the repair process can begin immediately.
However, for more significant damage, such as a major collision or a complete engine failure, the repair process can be more complex and time-consuming. In these cases, mechanics will need to carefully examine the vehicle to identify all the necessary repairs. This may involve disassembling parts of the truck to access damaged components
If the truck is deemed repairable, mechanics will use a variety of tools and techniques to fix the damage. This may include replacing damaged parts, welding broken components, or rewiring electrical systems. Once the repairs are complete, your truck will be thoroughly tested to ensure it is safe and roadworthy.
5. Road-Ready
To guarantee the truck's reliability and safety, rigorous testing is conducted, covering various aspects like engine performance, braking efficiency and electrical functionality.
Once these tests are successfully completed, your truck is ready to hit the road, fully restored and capable of delivering peak performance!
Why Choose Euroroute Recovery?
Extensive Services
Here at Euroroute Recovery, we offer comprehensive services to ensure your truck is ready to get back on the road as soon as possible.
For example, as well as our roadside rescue and recovery service, we also offer:
● Heavy-Duty Jump Starts: Our engineers have the heavy duty jump starters required to get trucks going again in the event of a flat battery.
● 24-Hour Truck Tyre Callouts: We provide fast, professional lorry and bus tyre changes when you find yourself with a blown tyre.
24-Hour Recovery
Wherever or whenever your truck has broken down or needs rescuing, we’ll be there to recover it thanks to our 24-hour recovery service. Not only that, but we’re proud of our fast response times.
With multiple depots located across Scotland, we’ll always aim to reach you as fast as possible - our average response time is within an impressive 40 minutes!
Not only can you call us on our general number, but you can also call your local Euroroute Recovery depot depending on where you breakdown. Our locations and details for each are:
● St Boswells – 01835 823575
● Stranraer – 01776 700999
● Edinburgh – 0131 5263874
● Stirling – 01786 230800
● Dumfries – 01387 213500
● Johnstonebridge - 0330 030 0100
● Carlisle - 01228 534121
● Inverness - 0330 030 0100
Fully Qualified
Rest assured that we are fully PAS 43 accredited - a standard published by the British Standards Institution focusing on roadside recovery safety, signifying that we meet the necessary standards to protect both our staff and the customers we assist on the roadside.
Speaking of our staff, they are all fully qualified and police vetted for your peace of mind. Not only that, but they are friendly and personable, taking care to ensure your safety and comfort and to help you as efficiently as they can.
Get in Touch for Reliable Truck Tow Services in Scotland
If you’re ever in Scotland and find yourself in need of assistance, then trust us to be there for you here at Euroroute Recovery. Whatever you’re driving, whether that be a car or motorcycle, or a truck, lorry or bus, our team will be able to assist you if you break down.
We also offer additional services that may be of use to you. For example, our garage and MOT services include both class 4 and 7 MOT testing, as well as vehicle servicing and diagnostics, tyre changes, and 3D wheel alignment. As for our vehicle delivery service, we will deliver your vehicle from A to B with care and efficiency.
Call us on 03 300 300 100 when you require breakdown assistance in Scotland, or you can contact us via email or our online form to arrange for one of our alternative services.
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