Motorhome recovery from Santander to UK following breakdown, any recommendations (1 Viewer)

[MaidinDevon]

Hi
Unfortunately, the clutch went, and the breakdown service won't recover to the UK. They insist on knowing how much the cost of repair is in Spain, before considering which is most cost effective.
The garage have said they want 10 hours labour, paid upfront, to take out the gearbox, before being able to quote for a repair.
Kath would have to pay this herself, with no guarantee that it can be fixed
Kath came home in my van, leaving hers there, because she has a family emergency to deal with as well.
It has been an awful experience.
Can anyone recommend a recovery firm, or an idea of what it would cost, to being the van back, on a truck.
If she has to pay loads with no guarantee of su cess, better to pay to get it home to a trustworthy garage.
The van is 2001 Swift Kontiki, 7m, 3.5 ton.

Thanks

Karen

 

[Gingernuts]

Is it a comfortmatic or manual gearbox?

 

[L' Hobo]

Hi
Unfortunately, the clutch went, and the breakdown service won't recover to the UK. They insist on knowing how much the cost of repair is in Spain, before considering which is most cost effective.
The garage have said they want 10 hours labour, paid upfront, to take out the gearbox, before being able to quote for a repair.
Kath would have to pay this herself, with no guarantee that it can be fixed
Kath came home in my van, leaving hers there, because she has a family emergency to deal with as well.
It has been an awful experience.
Can anyone recommend a recovery firm, or an idea of what it would cost, to being the van back, on a truck.
If she has to pay loads with no guarantee of su cess, better to pay to get it home to a trustworthy garage.
The van is 2001 Swift Kontiki, 7m, 3.5 ton.

Thanks

Karen

It might be worth having a look at the Comfortmatic Failure thread on here, I'm sure I read that one of the vehicles had been transported back to the UK.

Out of interest, what overseas breakdown company refuses to return vehicle?

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[gus-lopez]

As said is it comfortmatic? If so it needs repatriating.No use to you now but I would have towed it on to the boat at Santander.

 

[davidroxburgh]

I am sure a firm called Crouch were recommended a while back. I will see if I have their details

 

[Lenny HB]

As said is it comfortmatic? If so it needs repatriating.No use to you now but I would have towed it on to the boat at Santander.

Its 2001 so it will be a manual.

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[scotzsue]

Looks like comfortmatic was first introduced in 2006 if google is to be believed.

 

[davidroxburgh]

Found it! Derek Crouch 07813 622544.

 

[scotjimland]

The van is 2001

so not comfortmatic ..

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[Lenny HB]

I think the cost of recovery will be several times the cost of repair and then you will still have to pay for repair. Being a manual box the clutch shouldn't be too expensive.
I don't think I would trust a garage wanting 10 hours labour to take the engine out. For the clutch they only need to remove the gearbox which is only a couple of hours on a manual box.

 

[JRT]

Same name but we had a friends have their s recovered by thesegys....

Specialists in 24hr Nationwide & mainland European Breakdown Cover

Established in 1948. Crouch Recovery is one of the largest & fastest growing Recovery Operators in the United Kingdom & mainland Europe.

www.crouchrecovery.co.uk

It wasn't cheap.

 

[scotjimland]

I don't think I would trust a garage wanting 10 hours labour to take the engine out. For the clutch they only need to remove the gearbox which is only a couple of hours on a manual box.

ah yes.. but you need to factor in the siesta and wine-o'clock breaks

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[jerryz]

Clutch job 4 hours max Clutch Kit £150 so max £650 for repair ...

 

[MaidinDevon]

We have had a quote for approx £3500 plus vat to bring it home, less if he can find another load to share the truck.
gus-lopez thank you. If we had known, that would have been amazing.
It is manual.
Trouble is the van is not worth a lot, but it is of great value to Kath.
I think getting it home and repaired.

Thanks to all.

 

[Nanniemate]

Crouch second to none

Try on time they work for a number of the large reparation companies

And often have space to fill

Home - Ontime

www.ontime-auto.com

This is a cheap and cheerful booking site

Vehicle Transporter - Shiply

Join over one million people who saved money with Shiply on transporting their cars. Free quotes from rated car transporters.

www.shiply.com

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[Nanniemate]

The other option is we go and get it
What's the length and overall height

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Is it a comfortmatic or manual gearbox?

On a 2001 van?????

 

[gus-lopez]

I don't think I would trust a garage wanting 10 hours labour to take the engine out.

Neither would I.

For the clutch they only need to remove the gearbox which is only a couple of hours on a manual box.

Exactly

We have had a quote for approx £3500 plus vat to bring it home, less if he can find another load to share the truck.
gus-lopez thank you. If we had known, that would have been amazing.
It is manual.
Trouble is the van is not worth a lot, but it is of great value to Kath.
I think getting it home and repaired.

Thanks to all.

So it is a cab over & therefore a conventional van so as said by jerryz around 650€ all in.
& no the engine does not have to come out .

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[Nanniemate]

The other option is we go and get it
What's the length and overall height

Car Transporter Hire Self Drive OR With a Driver

Car transporter hire, self drive car transporter hire, car transporter, rent a car transporetr, vehicle transporter hire, vehicle transporters

transporterhire.co.uk

 

[Baggydave]

Clutch job 4 hours max Clutch Kit £150 so max £650 for repair ...

That was precisely the cost of a mobile mechanic who did a friends van on our drive, their drive ain’t big enough. Arrived at 7.30am finished at 10.30am & all tidy. He said he does roughly 350 a year, him & his son. Local garage wanted £1200 inc

 

[Oscar]

We used Derek from Crouch Recovery last September - can't recommend them enough - he went above & beyond - not cheap but definitely worth it for our peace of mind . We were the only motorhome on the loader, it would have been @£1000 cheaper on a shared load.

Hope you get sorted soon - it's a very stressful time

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[MisterB]

Or does anyone know any mobile mechanics in the area who might be prepared to take in the job?

 

[Dorwyn]

Could you not find another garage locally? It's not a big job and it is an Italian van i.e. not English. It seems unnecessary to bring the van back. On the few times I've had work done abroad it was amazingly cheap.

 

[MaidinDevon]

Could you not find another garage locally? It's not a big job and it is an Italian van i.e. not English. It seems unnecessary to bring the van back. On the few times I've had work done abroad it was amazingly cheap.

Hiya,
Trouble is, we are back in the UK now, and unable to communicate with the garages.

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[rolosroller]

Where in Spain is the van.

 

[L' Hobo]

Where in Spain is the van.

I think the clue's in the thread title?
Although I might be wrong?

 

[denisejoe]

I think a lot depends on when your return is and if the van can be fixed before your return date.

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[jumar]

Our vans clutch failed in Granada...due to corrosion of all the mounting and housing bolts the garage worked all day...we paid just over 900€ due to labour charge hours..being double...

 

[rolosroller]

I think the clue's in the thread title?
Although I might be wrong?

Sorry thought you wanted to use the Santander ferry. Good luck

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Completely bonkers to have it brought back, better looking for recommendations for garages/mechanics in that area.