Towing Contractors

HappyDoggie
HappyDoggie Forum Participant Posts: 46
edited December 2023 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have to move my caravan about 210 miles from storage to a repair shop. I estimate it will be a four to five hour journey and will plan to stay overnight at the destination in an hotel and then return home.

It was suggested to me I could pay for the caravan to be taken by a towing contractor so I did a little on line research and put a request in to a company that would appear to shift all manner of goods around the country. The act as a sort of eBay advertiser and a number of parties emailed me with their quotes.

Given a 210 mile journey would use around £60 of fuel each way and a days labour for one person i was expecting quotes of over £200. There was one for £254 but most were around £120 and £130.

My question is, has anyone used third parties to tow their units and does £130 seem right for a 210 mile tow? I feel something is missing in a service at that price and worry it might be my caravan if it was entrusted to someone so cheaply.

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2023 #2

    I would agree that £130  does seem very inexpensive given that its probably a full days job each way plus fuel. Do they have any reviews. Have you thought about contacting a local caravan dealer to see if they can suggest someone? I did come across this but perhaps you have already contacted them? Another idea might be to contact the Club to see if they have any information of people who can transport caravans around the country. Probably the safest and least expensive way of doing it is to tow it yourself?

    David

     

  • HappyDoggie
    HappyDoggie Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited December 2023 #3

    Thank you David, they look a professional outfit. I have requested a quote from them.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2023 #4

    Personally, I would make sure I knew of a company’s physical address before entrusting them with my caravan. You can imagine your insurance company’s reaction if the van goes missing and all you’ve got is a name and mobi number.

    Why not try contacting some commercial garages/recovery operators to see what they can offer?

     

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2023 #5

    Had a look at Companies House and if this is the Company they look pukka

    Tourer Tow Ltd

    Company number 13307361

    Registered office address
    Suite 210 79 Friar Street, Worcester, England, WR1 2NT

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2023 #6

    It’s odd that the limited company details don’t appear on the website 🤷🏻‍♂️. If it is the same company, it appears to be under the control of one person who is associated with several other businesses.

    https://www.getthedata.com/company/tourer-tow-limited-13307361

     

  • MikeyA
    MikeyA Forum Participant Posts: 1,072
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2023 #7

    Companies

    Isn't Google amazing.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2023 #8

    Yes, exactly what I found in a different format.

    It's something I’ve seen many times. 

  • HappyDoggie
    HappyDoggie Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited December 2023 #9

    Cost came back from Tourer Tow as £418. Point was made the tow was fully covered by insurance and towed in accordance with the Road Haulage terms of carriage. 

  • Cartledge
    Cartledge Forum Participant Posts: 267
    100 Comments
    edited December 2023 #10

    Looked at their accounts, March 2023, which show zero assets and zero liabilities reported. Are they actually trading? Some caution needed perhaps.