Used Towing Vehicles That Fit Birmingham Recovery Work

Used towing vehicles

Used towing trucks in Birmingham can do everything from basic vehicle collections to full blown recovery work, but deciding what sort of vehicle to add to your fleet depends on the type of work you are currently having to turn away.

Match Capacity to Missed Recovery Work

When considering adding a second towing vehicle to your fleet it’s worth thinking about the types of recovery calls you’re currently unable to take on. If these tend to be motorway collections or low clearance recoveries in the city centre then perhaps you need to invest in a spec-lift truck. Alternatively if your missed out calls tend to be broken down vehicles then perhaps you’d be better served by a more basic beavertail with ramps or even a slide bed/tilt and slide tow truck would suffice.

Investing in a used towing vehicle isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re looking to grow your business but instead can be a way of ensuring that demand doesn’t outstrip your capacity. For example if you’re called out to collect a broken down van on the A38 then chances are your towing truck will be tied up for the rest of the day meaning that any other calls, for example a late night motorway recovery, will have to wait until the following day.

With used tow trucks for sale in Birmingham ranging from as little as £15,000 up to £30,000+ there’s a wide range of choice when it comes to used towing vehicles; the practical side of Birmingham used towing vehicles starts there. However just because a truck might be within your price bracket doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s right for your business. Before purchasing any second hand towing vehicle ask yourself the following questions:

• What sort of recovery work do we currently turn away?
• Who will be driving the vehicle?
• Will it fit in our yard/depot?

Choose the Carrier for the Work

Slide-bed towing trucks

Often regarded as an all-rounder slide-bed towing trucks can be ideal as a second towing vehicle due to their versatility. Slide-beds can make the loading process easier especially when collecting vehicles with damage, seized wheels or a low ground clearance. The height of the bed also means that slide-beds can be more suited to motorway recoveries and longer distance collections as they offer greater security for both the operator and the vehicle being transported.

Tow truck carrier equipment

Before buying a second hand towing vehicle with a slide-bed make sure to thoroughly inspect the bed itself for any kerb or loading ramp damage, check the winch cable, make sure the bed slides evenly and look out for any tell tale signs of hydraulic problems, something Britannica walks through at www.britannica.com/science/hydraulics, such as leaking hoses/rams. Also make sure that the towing truck will comfortably fit into your yard, especially if it has a particularly long bed and remember to factor in space for the rear overhang!

Beavertail towing trucks

With fewer moving parts beavertail towing trucks can often be a cheaper option. The lowered height of the beavertail combined with the ramps can make them ideal for the transportation of cars and smaller vans providing of course that the vehicle being collected isn’t suffering from major damage (particularly to the front of the vehicle), has a working transmission and isn’t too low to the ground.

If you’re considering purchasing a used beavertail towing truck make sure to thoroughly inspect the ramps checking for any damage, cracks, bends or weak hinges and ensuring that they are securely stored when not in use.

Spec-lift towing trucks

Spec-lifts are smaller than other carriers and as a result can be ideal for use in the city centre, particularly when collecting vehicles from parking bays, access restricted areas or anywhere else that a full sized towing truck may struggle to get to. They can also be ideal for companies looking to offer a rapid response service or for making collections over shorter distances.

Before purchasing a used spec-lift make sure you’re clued up on what it can and can’t tow/lift and don’t overlook checking the GVW, unladen weight and axle loadings, especially if it’s had any alterations carried out after manufacture. Keep in mind that the spec-lift, driver, winch, tools, fuel etc all count towards the GVW too so if it’s pushing the limits with an empty spec-lift attached is it still legally able to collect the type of vehicles (read larger vans!) that you’ll be receiving callouts for during the winter months?

Budget for Immediate Maintenance

Whatever type of second hand towing truck you decide to purchase make sure you leave yourself a maintenance budget for MOTs/servicing, tyres, brakes, winch service/hydraulics, beacon/battery problems etc, after all a £16,000 truck that needs an immediate £4,000 worth of work isn’t really a £16,000 truck is it?! Request service/maintenance history and make sure the towing equipment has been looked after as opposed to just ‘kept on the road’ and check around the chassis/suspension/body mounting points for corrosion.

Think about the types of callouts/jobs that you’re currently turning down and work backwards from there, jot down the top three, measure your parking space and compare the GVW’s before popping along for a view.