As winter sets in and the conditions on the roads become more unpredictable, it’s the perfect time to highlight how our Egertons’ fleet is fully equipped to handle the challenges this season brings.
Whether it’s snow, ice or wet conditions, accidents and breakdowns are more likely to occur, and the ability to respond quickly becomes critical. That’s why here at Egertons, we’ve invested in a diverse range of vehicles, each chosen for its ability to tackle the unique obstacles presented by winter.
From service vans that conduct roadside repairs to specialist vehicles that are perfect for handling larger incidents, our fleet is ready to handle anything the winter season has to throw at us.
Here’s a closer look at how some of our key vehicles are equipped to handle winter accidents and ensure that our customers receive fast, reliable service during the colder months.
1. Service vans
An Egertons staple, our service vans are used for everyday roadside repairs for cars and vans, but they’re far from your ordinary vans! These versatile vehicles carry a vast array of tools and equipment, allowing our technicians to perform a wide range of repairs right there at the roadside – a time-saver when it’s bitterly cold and a breakdown could leave you stranded for longer than necessary.
Plus, in winter time where the risk of flat batteries, tire issues and minor mechanical failures increase during the colder months, our service vans are able to quickly deploy a Rapid Deployment Towing (RDT) system to tow vehicles back to a repair facility if a quick fix isn’t possible at the scene. This is especially useful during icy conditions when waiting for a tow could leave you exposed to further risks, and it can make all the difference when it comes to safely recovering a vehicle from a breakdown as quickly as possible.
2. Commercial service vans
When it comes to commercial vehicles, the requirements for roadside repairs become more complex in winter conditions. That’s where our commercial service vans come in, as they’re long-wheelbase vehicles equipped with a much larger set of tools and equipment than the typical service van.
With vehicles in our fleet, it means we’re prepared for larger-scale repairs at any point during winter, and whether it’s dealing with icy conditions affecting tires to performing emergency repairs on freezing cold engines, these vans ensure that commercial vehicles can be up and running quickly.
3. Heavy underlift
When it comes to handling heavier commercial vehicles in wintry conditions, heavy underlifts are the tool of choice thanks to the crane that slides beneath the casualty vehicle, lifting it with ease. This makes the underlift perfect for the recovery of larger vehicles that can’t be easily towed by standard equipment, especially as in winter, accidents involving heavier vehicles such as trucks or lorries that may slip or get stuck in snowbanks are more common.
Using the heavy underlift ensures that we can recover these vehicles, even from difficult roadside locations, and it’s an ability which is especially critical when roads are icy, or vehicles are stranded in difficult to reach areas, as the underlift can manoeuvre into tight spots and recover these vehicles safely and efficiently.
4. Low loader
The low loader is another invaluable vehicle in our winter fleet, as it has unit and trailer combination that’s perfect for towing large, heavy vehicles, including trailers or commercial vehicles that can’t be moved with an underlift.
In winter conditions when vehicles are often involved in rollovers or severe damage due to slick roads, the low loader becomes even more essential, and it’s especially useful when a unit and trailer have rolled over, as the rotator feature can help to right the vehicle and recover it safely.
5. 7.5 Tonne Slidebed
For heavier vehicles, the 7.5 tonne slidebed comes into play, as it’s the perfect asset for commercial vehicles or vans involved in winter accidents where the weight and size of the vehicle are too much for a smaller vehicle to handle.
This is because in winter, when roads are slippery, the ability to recover vehicles of all sizes is essential, and so the 7.5 tonne slidebed gives us the flexibility to manage these incidents safely, helping to clear the roads faster and get vehicles back on the move without unnecessary delay.
6. Rotator
The rotator is a true winter hero.
It’s used for serious incidents where a heavy commercial vehicle has rolled over, and is a powerful piece of equipment that not only has an underlift to tow the vehicle but also a crane to lift it back upright. This makes it ideal for more complex winter recoveries, such as when a vehicle slides off the road or becomes trapped in a snowbank.
But the rotator’s ability to lift and tow simultaneously makes it a very versatile tool as well, enabling our team to recover vehicles in the harshest winter conditions with efficiency and care.
In fact, whether it’s recovering a vehicle that’s rolled over on an icy road or righting a truck stuck in a snowdrift, the rotator is a key part of our winter fleet, and we wouldn’t be without it.
7. 4x4s
When snow, ice, or mud cause vehicles to become stuck, these 4x4s are invaluable for winch outs, and their agility and power allow us to reach vehicles trapped in difficult-to-access areas and recover them with ease.
Our trusty 4x4s are highly reliable and play a vital role in ensuring we can respond to winter incidents promptly, even in the most challenging conditions, so that we can guarantee that even if a vehicle is stuck in the snow or has slipped off the road into a muddy patch, our 4x4s are there to provide a swift rescue no matter what.
Here for all drivers, in all weather conditions
Winter conditions can present serious challenges for fleet operations, but Egertons’ fleet is fully equipped to handle the challenges this season brings.
We’re here to make your job easier; whatever you need, whenever you need it.