Kezman Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 For those, that have unfortunately, had to at some point use the recovery truck with their breakdown cover.....can I ask the stupid question? How exactly has the truck winched the Westy onto its bed? I assume using the roll bar. Typically backwards? Or is there other ways? Has it been a smooth procedure? I am about to take cover with I think Start Rescue, which seems quite well regarded on here. Can't quite decide if I need the Home start or not. The getting started at home feature I can't see being a requirement but it also gets you home if you uncannily broke down slightly less than a mile away. Not so far, but you would know about it if you had to push! In 3 years of Westy ownership I have never took out Breakdown cover, so I'm thinking I'd better this year as my luck is bound to run out at some point. This brings me on to a final point. If you had to tow a Westy Yourself, what is the best practice? The only thing I can think of is to quickly whip the nose cone off then tow from the low front chassis ? Yes/No ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Gibney - Lancashire AO Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I am guessing you have no tow eye ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Mine was once winched on from a bottom front wishbone with no probs. 12 years ago so I can't recall how we avoided damage to the nosecone but we did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6carjon Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I am an expert at this, why else have a yellow car and a membership of the aa and not use their "RACE" transportation service often They are great guys They use a low loader with sliding bed and pair of straps in a harness to each front wishbone. They then connect harness to steel winch and slowly drag it on. My car loves it and no damage I usually have a great chat with some real car enthusiasts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I was recovered on my first outing with AutoAid (although they just call the local yokel with a low loader) and the guy carefully winched it up using the wishbones. They are usually car enthousiasts so know what is painful and painless when it comes to kit car ownership. Was well worth the membership Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikef Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 The only time (touch wood) I've been recovered it was with a "spectacle"lift. Had to be very careful they didn't lift the front too far so the rear end was in danger of dragging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHew Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 The Factory borrowed my car for a show a few weeks after I'd bought it, and the came and picked it up onto one of their vehicles. They winched it carefully onto their tilt-bed via an electric winch pulling a harnesses around each wishbone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezman Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 Thanks for replies so far. Paul, no I don't have a tow eye. I get the impression because it's not a standard fit, that there are more Westfield owners out there that haven't, unless they have gone the extra effort because of 'Track Days" Yes...one of the reasons I have selected Start rescue is that if you tell them before hand that you have the low kit car that is our Westfield, they will send the appropriate truck with lower bed etc.....In theory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welly Jen Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Mr Toad has only taken the recovery truck of shame once, so far in my ownership. Most recovery folk will have picked up a car like ours at least once and will know what to do. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dombanks Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Ive been towed where they picked it up on the front wheels and it was fine and when I had it trailered down here they just winched it up via a wishbone. took all of 30s to get it on the back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 MInes never been on a recovery truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I was towed by an AA van instead of waiting hours for a truck as my engine mishap was only half a mile from home. I took the nose cone off to avoid damage and used part of chassis to attach a tow strap. Pretty undignified ride home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisme Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 When I had to get towed home, I used my breakdown strap (handily kept in the boot box) and looped it around the front nearside wishbone / chassis joint. I did it this side so I could have a clearer view from behind my neighbours Transit as he towed me home I've never heard birds singing whilst doing 40mph or kept such a straight face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin (Mr T) Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 MInes never been on a recovery truck! Really! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I've had the ride of shame (damn loose connection on the cam sensor and the engine won't start). The AA used one of those A frame type devices that carries the front wheels, it was winched on with a lifting strop around each front wishbone. The guy was excellent, took real care, he was knelt down by the OS wheel watching it all the way on, for any issues, while he had me do the same on the NS side. As said, took all of about thirty seconds and was quite painless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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