Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Do recovery flatbed vehicles have isofix?

16 replies

INeedNewShoes · 19/12/2021 23:14

Having a little bit of a nightmare and broken down on the M1. Waiting for a recovery flatbed truck to take us to our destination. It’s a long way and it’s just occurred to me that the vehicle may not have isofix and DD’s car seat is isofix only. She’s a small 4 year old and I don’t feel happy about her not being in a seat on the motorway but have to balance that with the fact it’s freezing and we just need to get to where we’re going.

Does anyone know whether isofix points are likely to be available?

OP posts:

TimeIhadaSeasonalNameChange · 19/12/2021 23:20

Absolutely no idea, but I hope you're not waiting too long.

SinoohXaenaHide · 19/12/2021 23:20

That must be so stressful. No idea what the truck will be equipped with but I can guarantee that this won't be the first time that the rescue service has encountered this situation, and someone with a clearer and less stressed-out head than yours will have done a balanced risk assessment of all options (including assessing the risk of you staying on the motorway longer) and they will jnow what to do. Breathe deeply and focus on the fact that you will get there in the end.

Username7521 · 19/12/2021 23:22

As someone who has spent a fair amount of time broken down I think it really depends. I’m pretty sure the last one I was in (maybe in October) did. It would a double cab.
Single cab no. Older ones not.

Saying that you cannot stand on the side of the road forever. Another thing I know.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

4 year olds Families

Username7521 · 19/12/2021 23:23

Did you tell them you had a four year old?

Didicat · 19/12/2021 23:23

Phone your recovery people and ask direct! I’ve been sent a truck that could only take 3 passengers and there were 4 of us….

Thefuturestory · 19/12/2021 23:24

Unlikely.

You could ask for a taxi relay though.
What seat is it?

santaclothes · 19/12/2021 23:25

Surely this is make and model dependent and nobody knows? I would contact the company and make sure they know what you need. Other option is a taxi, again you would need to speak to the company re the vehicle

Toddlerteaplease · 19/12/2021 23:27

I don't think you will have much option than to go with them. You can't stay on the hard shoulder.

TableSetting · 19/12/2021 23:28

What car seat do you have?

Toddlerteaplease · 19/12/2021 23:28

Quibbling about isofix may delay you getting help and you are in a far more dangerous position where you are. Than the minor risk of a crash i the recovery truck. Are you behind the crash barrier?

User2638483 · 19/12/2021 23:30

Are you sure there’s definitely no option to secure with a seatbelt?

PenguinLove1 · 19/12/2021 23:50

I had to be recovered twice a few months ago, neither of the trucks would have had isofix seats. And they were both sent as local recovery services from the AA so i dont think asking the AA at the time would have helped tbh. With a 4 year old i would just strap her in and go.

Original poster

INeedNewShoes · 19/12/2021 23:58

Thanks everyone. We’re in recovery vehicle no. 1 of 2. Has to be done in two legs.

No isofix and DD’s seat definitely doesn’t belt In. She’s ok. Just losing a lot of sleep to this adventure!

OP posts:

Thefuturestory · 20/12/2021 07:22

Hope you got there safely. Nightmare for you.

Original poster

INeedNewShoes · 20/12/2021 10:03

We did thank you. Just 3.5 hours later than planned and made better by the most lovely Highways officer who appeared and protected us.

I feel very very fortunate that this didn’t happen on the stretch of M1 with no hard shoulder further South.

We managed to stop in a reasonably safe place on the hard shoulder of a slip road but that was only possible because I could crawl along the hard shoulder to find a better place to stop.

We’ll be keeping DD’s spare seat (a high back booster) in the car from now on!

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 20/12/2021 16:05

I hate driving on motorway with no hard shoulder. The thought of having to stop in a live lane is really scary.

Flip