Can anyone who has experienced a breakdown whilst towing a caravan explain the procedure, Do they recover it all in one go or do they send out two separate units for each vehicle, tug and van?
Breakdown Cover and Recovery
- Thread starter Lonesome-Whizkid
- Start date
When I was broke down in France, they loaded my car on a flatbed recovery truck and hitched the caravan on the back of the truck and away we went.
As a matter of caution,
I was reading my handbook today and it stated only tow with cars and 4 x 4 derived cars, do not tow with a commercial vehicle. Food for thought, going to contact the RAC and see what they have to say, unless any one knows the answer.
I was reading my handbook today and it stated only tow with cars and 4 x 4 derived cars, do not tow with a commercial vehicle. Food for thought, going to contact the RAC and see what they have to say, unless any one knows the answer.
Good post Kev,Gagakev said:
I await the response with great interest and not a little apprehension.
Rgds
Please be aware also that most "car based" breakdown insurers will not attend to problems on the caravan & will only recover the caravan IF it is attached to the car at the time of breakdown,so if the car breaks down & needs recovery & the caravan is on a site then they will not recover the van to home. This could be very expensive if you are abroad. Also if the recovery of the car exceeds the market value they will not recover the car or the caravan
SteveW77 said:
Steve I am also a member of both the above.
BUT rang them earlier and customer services could not answer my question.
they put me through to Breakdown Services and they would only say they would assess the situation with there resources at the time!! I asked about two flatbeds one for car and one for van there reply; we will assess the situation at the time!!
They also said they can tow with the flat bed, but when I explained that my handbook states no commercial vehicles they also said that was only for hire and reward!
So when I said about the harder springs on a lorry compared to a car will there insurance cover the van when it fell apart 2 months later, there reply; see what you are saying but as your policy is with the C+CC they will have to answer the question, he tried to put me through but they are closed on a Sunday, will call them tomorrow.
Seen many makes of new caravans being delivered by flatbeds, one on the back and a further one being towed! - Suspect if what Kevs handbook says is correct, then manufacturers need to put their house in order, as your new caravan may well have been towed by a lorry before you get it!
I don't think that a relatively short journey behind a tow truck will cause problems, I think this warning is more to cover the people who use nothing other than a vehicle over 3500Kgs. The stiffer suspension on this type of vehicle could well cause damage over an extended period of time. ( Talking months rather than hours )
I have to say that if it meant getting the caravan home, I would be prepared to take the chance. As has been stated, its a one of journey. Im guessing what the handbook is referring to is continued towing behind the tarmaccing flatbed 
SteveW77 wrote:
That's why I joined RAC arrival through the C&CC.
So what's different about the RAC and the C&CC, Do they cover breakdowns of any means? even if your caravan is sited and you went to town for the day in your tug and broke down there?
That's why I joined RAC arrival through the C&CC.
So what's different about the RAC and the C&CC, Do they cover breakdowns of any means? even if your caravan is sited and you went to town for the day in your tug and broke down there?
IMO the CC Green Flag scheme does it all.
However they will put the tow car on their flat bed and then tow the caravan behind.
I'd prefer the caravan on the low loader and car in tow.
However they will put the tow car on their flat bed and then tow the caravan behind.
I'd prefer the caravan on the low loader and car in tow.
Dustydog said:
Perhaps I'm being over cautious here, but I wonder how many other handbooks state Do not tow with a commercial vehicle. Has any one actually read it concerning there specific make of van.
Will my insurance company pay out if any thing happened to the van due to the recovery company's negligence?
I think you will find a similar disclaimer about towing behind a commercial vehicle in most manufacturers instructions. A long time ago I do recall being told the reason for the disclaimer is because commercial vehicles do transmit more destructive energy through their tow couplings than domestic cars. However I cannot recall who told me.
Now I'm as guilty as everyones else, I have assumed the reason is for the destructive energy is the less compliant nature of commercial vehicles suspensions.
I have no doubt that commercial vehicles do transmit more energy
but I cannot confirm that is the reason for the caravan manufacturers stance. There could be other reasons.
Has anybody actually asked the manufacturers for their reasons for including these statements?
Now I'm as guilty as everyones else, I have assumed the reason is for the destructive energy is the less compliant nature of commercial vehicles suspensions.
I have no doubt that commercial vehicles do transmit more energy
but I cannot confirm that is the reason for the caravan manufacturers stance. There could be other reasons.
Has anybody actually asked the manufacturers for their reasons for including these statements?
.............but what type of commercial vehicle is likely to tow your caravan?
Most likely it will be a breakdown truck and these are almost universally very expensive specialised vehicles designed for the job.
They will likely have air suspension and the tow ball will be at the correct height for a modern caravan.
They will also have and air conditioned crew cab for the occupants of the tow car.
They all have insurance to cover any damage done to your car or caravan and should provide paper work for you to claim for any damage if needed at the time of recovery.
Most likely it will be a breakdown truck and these are almost universally very expensive specialised vehicles designed for the job.
They will likely have air suspension and the tow ball will be at the correct height for a modern caravan.
They will also have and air conditioned crew cab for the occupants of the tow car.
They all have insurance to cover any damage done to your car or caravan and should provide paper work for you to claim for any damage if needed at the time of recovery.
Must confess had recovery a few times over last 38 years and has always been the tow vehicle fail. Some times I've been solo and had to go back to a site to pick the van up. (Sometimes a day or two later after continuing the holiday) Sometimes taken me home and as garages not open come back the following day(s) to pick the vehicle up and take to the garage, and always taken me home and dropped the caravan off before taking me to the garage- a further 25 miles. (Green Flag) Longest recovery I've had was Newton Abbot to home (N. Lincs) 300 miles, and must say the last thing on my mind when being recovered from the side of a busy road was "What am I being towed with?" Would rather be on my way home than considering the breakdown truck I'm being towed with! (Ps - Do our traveller 'friends' have a lot of problems with their vans as they only seem to tow with 'commercial' vehicles?)
Just back from the CC site at Chapel Lane and the outfit near us had to be towed.
The AA put the car on the low loader and towed the caravan behind on an extended tow fitment that slid out from the back of the low loader.
I am with Green Flag through the CC myself after going through the terms and condition of the various groups
The AA put the car on the low loader and towed the caravan behind on an extended tow fitment that slid out from the back of the low loader.
I am with Green Flag through the CC myself after going through the terms and condition of the various groups
A quick look at the Bailey handbook. No mention about being towed by a cv
My Green Flag breakdown , caravan and car insurance are all through the CC. Thus in the very unlikely event something went wrong I'd expect the CC to swiftly resolve any dispute.
My Green Flag breakdown , caravan and car insurance are all through the CC. Thus in the very unlikely event something went wrong I'd expect the CC to swiftly resolve any dispute.
FrintonMike said:
I think that this is the universal way "Recovery" operators work and it has already been stated, If towing with a commercial vehicle is a no no as far the caravan manufactures are concerned, why do they deliver them to the dealers towed behind a commercial vehicle?
Facebook
Twitter