Heavy recovery in France: overturned, ditched or stuck trucks
Truck on its side in an embankment, trailer in a ditch or rigid stuck in mud on a site: we send the heavy wreckers, crane and crew needed to upright, winch and remove your vehicle safely, then take it to the workshop of your choice.
- 24/7, all year
- Heavy wreckers up to 44 t
- Firm price before dispatch
- Anywhere in France
Price and book a heavy recovery
Instant estimate for your vehicle, then online booking. The firm price is confirmed by phone before the recovery truck sets off.
1. Estimate the price
Indicative range excluding VAT, based on vehicle, service and time.
Articulated lorry, tractor unit or trailer
Breakdown
- Stuck in mud (winching)€1,790–€3,490
Towing to a workshop is added if the vehicle cannot drive away afterwards.
On French motorways the approved recovery operator for that section is assigned and sets its own rates above 3.5 t: this estimate covers off-motorway jobs and the onward move once you have left the motorway.
Uprighting an overturned truck
Lifting a truck off its side is a planned operation: poor rigging can tear the body, twist the chassis or shift the load. Depending on the scene we use a rotator crane wrecker, one or two heavy wreckers holding back, lifting bags and, if needed, a mobile crane.
- 1Secure the sceneTraffic management with the police and road authority, circuits isolated, leaks checked.
- 2AssessWeight, load, slope, ground and chassis condition: the lifting plan and equipment are set before anything moves.
- 3Lighten if neededCargo transferred to another vehicle when the load makes the lift unsafe or would be damaged.
- 4Rig and liftStraps and chains on load-bearing points, lifting bags, progressive uprighting with a rotator or crane and a second wrecker holding back.
- 5Remove and clean upTowing or low-loader transport to the workshop, absorbent on the road, photo report.
Dangerous goods (ADR): tell us when you call. The operator sent is trained and brings the right containment equipment before any lift.
Off the road: getting a truck back onto the carriageway
Wheels in a ditch, a collapsed verge or a jack-knifed lorry on ice: as long as the vehicle has not rolled over, it can usually be winched back onto the road. The wrecker anchors firmly, the cable is run through snatch blocks to multiply the pull and keep the right angle, and a second line holds the truck so it cannot tip.
Afterwards tyres, steering and brakes are checked; if the truck cannot continue safely it is towed or moved on a low-loader.
Truck stuck in mud: what to do
Do
- Stop accelerating as soon as wheels spin
- Make the area safe and switch off
- Note the position and ground type
- Take photos of the truck and wheels
Don't
- Spin the wheels and dig deeper
- Pull with another truck without a proper anchor
- Unload without checking stability
- Stand in line with a cable under tension
Heavy recovery prices
Indicative starting prices excluding VAT. The firm price is set after assessment on site or from photos, depending on the load, access and equipment required.
| Vehicle | Stuck in mud | Off the road, wheels in a ditch | Overturned truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light truck 3.5–7.5 t | from €890 | from €1,590 | from €3,900 |
| Rigid truck 7.5–19 t | from €1,190 | from €2,290 | from €6,900 |
| Heavy rigid over 19 t | from €1,490 | from €2,990 | from €8,900 |
| Tractor + semi-trailer (44 t) | from €1,790 | from €3,490 | from €11,900 |
| Bus or coach | from €1,690 | from €3,290 | from €9,900 |
Excl. VAT. Nights, weekends and bank holidays: +50% to +100%. Towing to the workshop, cargo transfer, mobile crane and clean-up charged on top when needed.
HGV recovery in France: FAQ
How much does it cost to upright an overturned truck?
From €3,900 excl. VAT for a light truck and from €11,900 for an articulated lorry, more when the load must be transferred, a crane is needed or the road must be cleaned. The firm price is set after assessment on site or from photos.
How much is winching a truck out of the mud?
Winching starts from €890 excl. VAT for a light truck and €1,790 for an articulated lorry, depending on weight, load, ground conditions and winching distance.
My truck is stuck. What should I do while waiting?
Stop spinning the wheels: it digs the rut deeper. Do not try to pull the truck out with another vehicle without a proper anchor point and equipment. Make the area safe, note the exact position and ground type, take a few photos and call us.
How long does a heavy recovery take?
A simple winch-out is often done in under an hour on site. Uprighting an overturned vehicle usually takes several hours: scene safety, possible cargo transfer, rigging, lifting and removal.
Other heavy vehicle services
Truck overturned or stuck? Call us now
Describe the scene, load and access and send a few photos: we size the equipment and confirm the price before we start.
Job coordinated by Uber Dépannage with a suitably equipped heavy recovery operator from our network.
Version française :relevage poids lourd et camion embourbé
