Car Recovery

[mgcjag]

Hi All.....the wifes mini broke down a couple of days ago and had to be recovered to the maindealer (crankshaft sensor)...the recovery vehicle they used was the type where the front wheels are put on to a tow bar and raised up the car is then towed away with its rear wheels on tne ground.....This got me thinking incase i ever need the E recovered. Is the lift and tow enough to clear the rear or would a full flatbed be required, your thoughts and practical ecperiance please.....Steve

[Mark Gordon]

I had mine towed by lifting the front wheels once. I was very concerned when the driver showed up without a flat bed, but he assured me that he had towed vehicles with less clearance than an E without doing any damage. He knew what he was doing and there was no damage to my car. As an aside, I assume that you know that when towing an E, it must be towed from the front because towing from the rear runs the risk of the front spinners unscrewing and the wheels falling off!

[Simon P]

For preference I'd always go for a flatbed. As much as anything I'd feel much more secure knowing the car was being 'carried' through traffic rather than left prey to other drivers' inattention out the back. Usually if you specify at the time of the call that you require a flatbed they're happy to comply.

[Particularly gemaine this morning as the immobiliser on my other classic decided to pack up necessitating the services of a recovery truck, and being four-wheel-drive that car can only ever be carried on a flatbed (else towed with all four wheels on the ground)]

[mgcjag]

So anyone with an auto.definatly needs a flatbed.....

[Robert Hiland]

Always a flat bed.

With so many 4WDs and all way drives on the road there will be a flatbed ready for you. Your car will thank you.

I carry a recovery strap (line) with me to avoid damage from chains.

[Heuer]

Flat bed - they carry straps as the drivers are paranoid about causing damage to any vehicle, let alone a Classic.