A bakkie sunk to its axles on a farm track after a storm, a car that slid into a storm drain, a 4x4 bellied on a dune or a car rolled down an embankment: these need vehicle recovery before any tow can start. Recovery means getting the vehicle back onto firm ground safely with winches, straps, skates and the right anchor points, without breaking anything or hurting anyone. This page covers the methods, the safety rules and what affects the cost. Send one free request and recovery operators near you will quote you directly, with no obligation.
Winch, snatch strap or tow?
- Snatch strap: a stretchy strap between two 4x4s. The pulling vehicle uses momentum and the strap's stretch to pop the stuck one out. Fast, but violent if it fails.
- Winch: a slow, controlled pull from a recovery truck or a vehicle's own winch, often through a snatch block to double the pull. Best for deep mud, steep banks and vehicles that must not be jerked.
- Recovery truck with boom: for cars in ditches, drains or down embankments, lifted and turned before going onto a flatbed.
Recovery safety rules
Use rated recovery points bolted to the chassis, never the tow ball for a snatch recovery: a tow ball that snaps off becomes a missile. Use rated soft or bow shackles, and lay a damper or a heavy bag over a winch cable or strap so it drops if it breaks. Synthetic winch rope is lighter and safer than steel cable if it snaps. Keep everyone well clear of the line, at least the length of the line away to the side. Let air out of the tyres for sand. If you are not sure, wait for the operator rather than risk the vehicle and the people around it. See tow ropes and straps and winches for the kit.
What the operator needs to know
Give the GPS pin or the farm name and the nearest road, what the vehicle is stuck in and how deep, whether it is upright, and how far the nearest firm ground is. Photos help the operator decide between a 4x4 recovery vehicle and a heavier truck. Say whether the road in is gravel, sand or mud, and whether a gate or low bridge limits truck size.
What drives the cost
Winching or recovery often adds about R500 to R1,500 to the tow. The total depends on the time on site, the distance from town, how many recovery points and pulls it takes, and whether a second vehicle or heavy equipment is needed. A rollover or a car down an embankment can take hours. Ask for a quote that splits the recovery from the tow, and see towing prices for the rest.
What to include in your request
- GPS pin or farm name and nearest road
- What it is stuck in and how deep
- Upright, on its side or on its roof
- Photos from two or three angles
- Road surface and access for a truck
Vehicle Recovery for different clients
- Motorists and families: a car slid into a storm drain or off a wet gravel road after heavy rain
- Company fleets and rental firms: delivery vans and pool cars stuck on unmade roads or slipped into ditches
- Truckers, buses and logistics: light vehicles and escort bakkies recovered from soft shoulders beside freight routes
- Farmers and 4x4 owners: bakkies and tractors bogged down on muddy farm tracks after summer storms
- Dealers, panel beaters and workshops: insurers' assessors and panel shops arranging recovery of rolled and damaged cars
- Construction, mining and plant hire: site vehicles stuck in mud or loose fill on construction and mining sites
- Caravan, boat and bike owners: 4x4s bellied on dunes, river crossings or steep tracks on weekend trips
- Municipalities, estates and schools: municipal and parks vehicles recovered from flooded roads and nature reserves
Frequently asked questions
How much does vehicle recovery cost?
Can I use my tow ball for a snatch strap recovery?
What is the difference between towing and recovery?
Do you send a recovery truck?
Vehicle Recovery by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg