Truck Breakdown Rescue: The Large Vehicle Recovery Process

In this comprehensive guide, we explore the intricacies of large vehicle breakdowns, the challenges they present, and the specialised recovery processes involved. Additionally, we provide actionable steps for drivers to follow in the event of a breakdown, ensuring safety and efficiency. Read on to discover everything you need to know.

Causes of Large Vehicle Breakdowns

There are several reasons for a vehicle to break down, however, recognising these can aid in prevention and prompt response. Below, you can discover some examples of what can cause a vehicle breakdown.

Tyre Problems

A blown tyre will stop the vehicle from moving, and can be incredibly problematic if a heavy vehicle is travelling at high speeds. Factors like improper tyre pressure, worn treads and road hazards can also increase the chance of breakdowns related to tyres.

Brake System Failures

As a result of the weight of HGVs, their brakes are often under a significant amount of stress. If the brakes in a large vehicle fail, it can be incredibly difficult to stop the vehicle safely, often resulting in serious crashes.

Engine Problems

As the centre of a vehicle’s power, engines are incredibly important and can therefore have significant impacts if there are problems. Overheating, oil leaks, and component-specific issues can cause vehicles to break down, and will require a trained technician to repair.

Suspension Issues

As large vehicles often consistently carry heavy loads, the combination of cargo weight and rough roads can take an undeniable toll on the vehicle’s suspension system. The instability can often result in problems, as the failure of the suspension can make it harder to control your vehicle and therefore increase your likelihood of a crash.

The Challenges of Large Vehicle Breakdowns

While car breakdowns can be highly inconvenient, large vehicle recoveries can add extra challenges. In this section, you can explore some of the additional factors that can influence the ease of your large vehicle breakdown recovery.

Size and Weight

HGVs and other large vehicles are not typically light or compact. Should one of these vehicles unexpectedly break down, it’s highly unlikely that a tow truck designed for cars and small vans will be able to support it. This means, therefore, that many breakdown recovery services won’t be suited to them.

Location and Accessibility

If your large vehicle has broken down on a small road or an area that is challenging to get to, this can add further difficulty in recovery. It’s not often easy to manoeuvre large vehicles, so removing one that has broken down for repairs will require an expert hand.

Cargo

Many large vehicles are often transporting goods to new locations, which can become an issue in themselves during a breakdown. This is especially true for materials that need certain conditions, such as food products, or especially unwieldy cargo like smaller vehicles.

Time Pressure

Thanks to their large size, if a HGV breaks down across a road, it has a greater chance of blocking other road users from getting past. This can create significant traffic delays, problems, and tension between road users.

How Specialist HGV Breakdown Services Can Help

When a large vehicle breaks down, the recovery process can be far more complex than with a standard car. The size, weight, and mechanical intricacies of HGVs, lorries, and other large commercial vehicles require a specialist approach to ensure a safe and efficient recovery. By hiring professional truck recovery services, you can minimise downtime, prevent further damage to the vehicle, and ensure the safety of the driver and other road users. Learn more about them below.

Specialised Equipment

One of the key reasons to opt for specialist HGV breakdown services is their specialist equipment. These experts are readily equipped with the tools they will need, including heavy-duty recovery trucks and cranes, which allow them to easily recover large vehicles.

Expertise and Training

As mentioned, HGVs can be complex and incredibly heavy, making it difficult to recover them. Luckily, specialist recovery teams are fully-trained in these recovery processes. They have the knowledge and skills needed to understand the intricacies of a large vehicle, from its heavy-duty suspension to its complex transmission. Additionally, specialist technicians are trained in how to recover a vehicle safely, ensuring proper handling techniques are used and any lifting is carried out correctly.

What to Do If You Break Down

Breakdowns can be unpleasant to experience, either as a result of an accident or simply because of any issue with your vehicle. To help guide you through the recovery process, here are the key steps to follow if you have broken down in your large vehicle.

Keep Calm

Getting into any accident can be a shock to the system, leaving you feeling numb or upset. The most important thing to do is to stay calm, as panicking can prevent you from being able to manage the situation.

If people have been injured, or there is continued risk of injury, you will need to contact the emergency services. Do this as soon as possible, as it will help those in need of emergency services to get help as quickly as possible. It’s important to avoid moving any injured persons, unless they are in immediate danger, in an unsafe environment, experiencing difficulties with breathing or circulation, or they need CPR. Always follow the guidance of the emergency services in these situations, as they will be able to advise on your situation best.

Move Your Lorry If Possible

If it's safe and possible, it’s worth relocating the vehicle to a secure location, such as the hard shoulder, to avoid obstructing traffic. This ensures the flow of other vehicles and minimises the risk of further accidents.

Utilise Your Hazard Lights

If moving the vehicle isn’t an option or you’re positioned on the hard shoulder, you should activate your hazard lights immediately to alert other road users to your presence and reduce the risk of an accident.

Stay Safe

If it is safe to do so, it’s vital to leave your vehicle if it has broken down as soon as possible. You should stand away from your vehicle and out of traffic, but do stay close enough that you’re available when the recovery team arrives.

Contact a Specialist Breakdown Service

Once you have confirmed that you, your passengers and any other road users are safe or receiving help, you can organise a recovery. Companies that specialise in HGV breakdown recovery will have the necessary equipment and expertise to assist you efficiently, helping you to get your vehicle moving as soon as possible.

Keep Your Team Informed

Whether you’re delivering goods or returning from a trip when you break down, it’s important to keep the rest of your team notified about your location and your expected recovery time. This can help them to organise other deliveries or contact other staff members for assistance, helping everything to stay on track as much as possible while you get back on the road.

Why Choose Euroroute Recovery

Euroroute Recovery stands out as a premier provider of large vehicle recovery services across Scotland. We have a range of depots, helping us to get to breakdown sites easily.  Our comprehensive range of services includes breakdown recovery and vehicle towing for various vehicle types, including cars, vans, LGVs and HGVs. This extensive service offering makes us a reliable choice for any type of vehicle recovery situation, whether as a result of a breakdown or an accident.

Please visit the Euroroute Recovery website to discover more about us or contact us directly for further support. Trust Euroroute Recovery for reliable, professional, and fast large vehicle breakdown rescue and truck towing services.