Warren's next side hustle adventure

[DodgeRover]

My 4.0 ton gross Transit Smiley weighed 2.3 ton unladen, all alloy body and ramps, husky winch and about quarter tank of fuel.

4.0t? Didn't that give you a world of grief with operators licenses, tachos and maintenance schedules for only an additional 500kg?

[Warren t claim]

My 4.0 ton gross Transit Smiley weighed 2.3 ton unladen, all alloy body and ramps, husky winch and about quarter tank of fuel.

4.0t? Didn't that give you a world of grief with operators licenses, tachos and maintenance schedules for only an additional 500kg?

You'd be surprised how little weight a 7.5t van can carry.

[Old Wrinkly]

Make a point of the truck looking like its in decent condition, with the carried vehicle having a strap on each wheel and still attached to the winch cable.
Also wear a hi-vis, that will usually just get you a look from any passing jam sandwich, rather than a pull.
The main problem I ever encountered was the ministry, especially if they had set up a mobile weigh bridge in a lay-by.

[Old Wrinkly]

My 4.0 ton gross Transit Smiley weighed 2.3 ton unladen, all alloy body and ramps, husky winch and about quarter tank of fuel.

4.0t? Didn't that give you a world of grief with operators licenses, tachos and maintenance schedules for only an additional 500kg?

4 ton Tranny has a tacho fitted from the factory, yes you need an operators license, and an arrangement with an approved garage for regular maintenance.
The extra half ton means a medium size car can be carried legally.
Also running a Tranny is a lot cheaper than an a 7.5 ton.

[Warren t claim]

My 4.0 ton gross Transit Smiley weighed 2.3 ton unladen, all alloy body and ramps, husky winch and about quarter tank of fuel.

4.0t? Didn't that give you a world of grief with operators licenses, tachos and maintenance schedules for only an additional 500kg?

4 ton Tranny has a tacho fitted from the factory, yes you need an operators license, and an arrangement with an approved garage for regular maintenance.
The extra half ton means a medium size car can be carried legally.
Also running a Tranny is a lot cheaper than an a 7.5 ton.

What's the score with running a specs lift?

[Old Wrinkly]

Never had one, so can't really comment apart from its much easier to lift a damaged vehicle than drag one onto the back of a beaver tail.
Other issues are towing an auto and occasionally tripping a management light on the lifted vehicle when it went back into use.
That happened to me recently when my 3.5 ton Master van broke down over at Malvern Hills and the breakdown company I'm with sent out a spec lift to recover it back to Walsall.
After I repaired the fault a transmission light was on which had to be reset by my tame mechanic who has access to the correct equipment.
There's also the problem on some modern cars with a hydraulic operated hand brake

[Old Wrinkly]

There's a decent living in recovery as long as you don't cut corners and are reliable.
Local work was best for me, I rarely did distance and usually just worked for the trade rather than private customers.
Bloke I use now charges £40 a pop local, he's fully insured and got a very tidy 6.5 ton slide and tilt.
Another bonus with trade work was often getting offered a cheap PX that a trader had taken in that they didn't want to retail.

[Warren t claim]

Another bonus with trade work was often getting offered a cheap PX that a trader had taken in that they didn't want to retail.

That's the plan.

[Old Wrinkly]

A friend who did this professionally used to trailer most stuff as depending on your Transit you can legally shift upto 3500kg on the trailer, plus a Robin on the back

Good call on using a trailer for heavier loads, mine had a train weight of 5.5 tons although I never had the need to use it.
Problem with trailers is having somewhere secure to park it when not in use, other wise its liable to go awol never to be seen again.

Also it may be worth having twin batteries to help the winch when it's in use and keep the engine running, mine did.
And if you're one handed have a dislok on the steering wheel while loading the disabled vehicle, especially in a shitty area.
If I can remember anything else that may assist, I'll add later.

[Warren t claim]

A friend who did this professionally used to trailer most stuff as depending on your Transit you can legally shift upto 3500kg on the trailer, plus a Robin on the back

Good call on using a trailer for heavier loads, mine had a train weight of 5.5 tons although I never had the need to use it.
Problem with trailers is having somewhere secure to park it when not in use, other wise its liable to go awol never to be seen again.

Also it may be worth having twin batteries to help the winch when it's in use and keep the engine running, mine did.
And if you're one handed have a dislok on the steering wheel while loading the disabled vehicle, especially in a shitty area.
If I can remember anything else that may assist, I'll add later.

Much appreciated!