Wreckers' crew cab double
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• Two new crew-cab conversions are now being offered by Wreckers International South West at Bristol. One is based on a Mercedes 814 chassis cowl; the other on the 609D day cab.
The 1.3m extension on the 814 is built up from a chassis cowl using a Mercedes rear entry door re-engineered for fitting on the left, and Mercedes side and rear panels to give a one-metre extension on the day cab. Wreckers fabricates the steel floor and the additional 0.3m extension fitted behind the B-post. Foam filling to 200mm above the floorpan provides sound-proofing and anti-corrosion protection. The cab is fitted with a one-piece GRP roof and seating for six.
Wreckers claims that using the specially imported chassis cowl gives an improved tilting system with a four-stage ram to allow a 600 cab tilt. Fitted with the optional 3,500kg front axle, the 4.9m wheelbase can accommodate a six-metre loadbed and costs around £27,000 (ex-VAT and body).
Conversion on the non-tilting T2 range 609D is from the normal day cab. With the exception of the floorpan, Mercedes panels are used exclu sively in the all-steel construction. The additional 920mm panels and 820mm nearside rear door allows six passengers to be carried. When specified with a 3.7m wheelbase for spectacle-lift fitment, the vehicle has a safe working lift capacity of 1.5 tonnes. The complete package costs around £24,500. Prices for the T2 range 709, 811 and 814 versions are available on request. Wreckers International's latest "Interstater" Mk IIB heavy commercial recovery vehicle has been modified to suit recovery operators. Instead of having to dismantle the boom to insert an extension to lift a coach, the Mk IIB has its extension stored telescopically inside the boom.
High-specification steel has raised the working capacity of the arm to eight tonnes at its 2.74m maximum reach, from the six formerly available.
Wreckers has also developed a hitch that locks on to the I-beam front axle of the vehicle to be recovered in one move. This saves the operator from having to secure the axle by climbing underneath a suspended vehicle. The hitch can be purchased as a retrofit package at £300 a pair.