Ex-Military Wrecker in commercial use.

[INTERCEPTOR]

Hello everyone.

Thought I would finally join having been viewing without joining.

Been reading several items on here which I will go back through and see fully now I have signed up.

The main reason I have joined as I am seriously considering purchasing a Foden 6x6 EKA or Scammell 6x4 EKA. I would like to buy something I could use as a working tool as well as a hobby. I own a couple of Land Rovers, one is a dedicated winch vehicle with recovery equipment. I use them as tools so the truck would need to be the same to justify owning it. I have been in contact with the IVR for training and in talks with a training provider. I have been reading threads here and will re-read as this is all new to me and have been enjoying the Recovery & Towing thread and Cosrec's thread on his Foden. I hope that Cosrec and other operators will be able to give me some feedback on how the ex-military trucks perform vs a modern truck.

My only concerns are the Underlift being quite short. I see the Crusaders came with an extension, did the Fodens not have such a thing? I see Cosrec modified his but could a detachable extension be made or best to modify as cosrec with a adjustable T head. I would like to be able to underlift coaches should the need arise.

Should I be concerned about the low GTW of both vehicles? I see the Foden is 58 tons and the Scammel is 46 ton. Having seen videos of both pull much high loads, 85+ ton cranes etc. I'm sure that the rear bogie would be overloaded recovering a laden arctic but should I worry? The modern machines with high 150T GTW capacities look great but expensive and likely costly to maintain and not practical for a small operator.

Several large operators have a Foden in use so that helps with the appeal of the Foden to me as it must be very useful.

I have seen Scammel Explorers pulling combinations living wagons and trailers. If I was to pull a drawbar trailer for recovery use, carrying a heavily damaged truck or agricultural machine would this keep within normal rules. Living in quite an agricultural area I was thinking for recovering damaged tractors or equipment. 

Let me know your thoughts, I just would like to try something different and this is something that appeals to me. If it's not worth the cost then I will stick to my Land Rovers.

 

[cosrec]

Only just seen this post. Interceptor quick read through your post only thing i can say is for every question you ask there are a 100 answers. But before you go any further do not commit to any training schemes as yet . until you have decided what route you are going to go down. They are regarded as a distress purchase by operators to enable experienced staff to go on jobs that certain clubs who pay shit rates demand paper certificates for.. As for all your other question  i am quite willing to give advise on forum or on the phone. For a start the extension off a scammel will fit the EKA  on a foden. As to which truck towing down road scammell local tractors etc odd vehicle etc Foden

 

[skippypete]

Hi just seen your post, might be worth taking a look at Dave Crouch Military sales he has some very interesting recovery Lorrys. He's also mind of very useful information on all aspects of recovery work. Hope this is helpful Skippypete