Advise please - recovery from Mozambique

[Biscut]

Hi All,

I had an incident in Mozambique (near to Barra about 15km from Inhambane) and have to recover my fortuner. The left front suspension was damaged to the extent that the wheel sits at about 25 degrees to the road and moved about 3 cm's towards the vehicle.

I need to get the vehicle back to SA ASAP and would appreciate any suggestions.

My options as I see it:

I can do down next weekend and retrieve it myself with either a flatbed trailer or mobi jack. Does any member know where I could rent either a trailer/ mobi jack and have recommendations to preference? Also would I be able to get this across the border?

I can take all new parts suspension and replace. I am not a mechanic but could maybe get assistance from some locals?

Have phoned to get quotes from official towing people (in the region of R 14 00)!!!

My insurance only takes over once the vehicle is in SA and I am concerned that the towing people might further damage the vehicle

Any advise would be appreciated.

Regards

[Dirk]

I do not want to hijack your thread, but yet again this shows why proper 4x4 insurance is so crucially important.

[Thirstie]

Hi Biscut,

Sorry about the car! It is always one our greatest worries.

It sounds like it would be cheapest to repair it in Moz. I used to be the GM at Barra Lodge and one of our staff, Alvaro, has a garage in Inhambane and he is pretty clued up and should have the correct equipment. It is the business in the main road with all the scrap vehicles out front. I will PM you if I can find his number - will have to go dig for it. Portuguese is going to be your biggest problem though.

One of two options, IMO:

1. Take it to a (close-by) workshop which can identify the parts to be replaced.
Buy the parts locally and take it to the workshop to fit.

2. If your insurance will pay for the repairs once it is in the RSA, then get it to Komatipoort for repairs, to be paid by your insurance.
A Mobi-Jack would most probably be the cheapest way to get it to Komati.

[japiedc]

I whould sugest a flatbed trailer other wise you need to desconect propshafts and maybe drive shafts. If you can fix it there stil better. Work out the cost of rental of trailer against buying parts your self. Sorry about your your trouble. Good luck.

[Biscut]

Thanks for the replies. I have made some further enquiries (within the limits of a long weekend), so far my head is leaning towards the trailer rental option. I believe that a mobi jack is not ideal for long haul recoveries as the vehicle tends to sway and possible drive shaft issues. I can get a trailer at a reasonable rate (R 370 per day), but do not know whether they will allow me to take it into Moz?

Re repairing in Moz, Thirstie if you can find the number of the mechanic that would be great. If possible he could have a look at the vehicle and tell me what parts are required. There are flights to Inhambane, thus potentially I can buy, fly down and drive up.

Dirk, agree with the proper insurance comment.

[KobusDJ]

RE: Cross border with rental.

I once rented a furniture trailer from a company in Gauteng. Since the contract did not mention anything about taking it across the border I specifically asked them about it. They had no problem with me taking it out the country. The contract agreement serves as official document at the border. (Border officials didn’t ask me for it). I’m sure it is the same as taking a rental car across the border. Maybe someone else have more info.

[Uys]

Hi Tobie.


Jammer om te hoor van die skade - wat het gebeur?

Uys

[ThomasT]

We had a problem with a Jeep (Jeeps dont like water) in December and we used a company from Nelspruit called Van Wettens ( not sure about the spelling) . They charged R8000.00 to recovery the Jeep and off road trailer. That was from Bilene to Nelspruit.

[Biscut]

THX for the advise Kobus, if that is the case it is good news.

Hi Thomas, thx I have contacted them (Van Wettens) they charge R 14 000 from Inhambane (without trailer).

Hi Uys,

Om doodeerlik te wees, ek weet nie presies wat gebeur het nie. SWAMBO het die kar gevat en wou 'n man wat nie kan loop nie uithelp deur hom by sy huis/hut af te laai en het 'n afgekapte kokosneetboom getref (weggesteek in lang gras).

Die weird gedeelte is net ek kan nie sien waar iets gebuig het nie? Duidelik het iets gebuig maar ek kan nie sien wat nie?

Elk geval, ek gaan dalk more oggend deurry (afhangende van hoe laat ek die sleepwa kan kry) en kom weer terug Dinsdag.

THX vir die belangstelling.

[Biscut]

Got hold of my broker lat night and the Tuna is covered for retrieval in MOZ!!! I read the cross border letter that I got from them which stated that it is not, but the broker advised me that is is and organised retrieval for Tuesday.

3 lessons that I learnt:

Insurance is NB.
Insurance is NB
Insurance is NB

Thanks to all for the advise, suggestions and overall caring.

Regards

[Henris]

Biscuit, Just let me know if you will need me. I have access to a double axle car trailer. Can tow it with the cruiser. Just let me know what you need.

zero 8 two four nine five 9252
henri at musinashipping dot co dot za

[freeflyd]

There is really good guy that lives in Inhambane called Dennis Adams.

His email address is: farolturismo@teledata.mz and Moz mobile no is: 00258 823559590.

He started there a few years ago with Barra Light House camp site and now has a couple of places in Inhambane. If anyone local can give you really good advice and help, he will be the man!

You are welcome to mention my name and say I referred you. He is one of those genuinely rare breed of simply really good people!

[Biscut]

Freeflyd, thank you for the contact details of Dennis, I believe there are a couple of "those genuinely rare breed of simply really good people!" on this forum as well.

Henris, that is such an unselfish and genuineley caring offer re the trailer and towing, especially considering that you do not even know me!! Thank you very much.

I will keep you updated re the recovery, the official insurance towers should be colleting the vehicle tomorrow and have back in Jhb on Thursday.

[Dave Faddel]

I `know its a late posting, why not let the Forum work for you. We have a new user ... frankinmaputo,(see new user section) maybee if you pm him he can make suggestions or help out.

[Henris]

Has this car got back to ZA yet?

[Biscut]

Hi Henris,

Spoke with the towing people yesterday whom told me that their guys went down and will bring back today. I estimate at least 8 hours drive to the border and assuming they left at 06:00 I will phone again at 14H00 to hear whether it is back in good old SA.

Regards
I

[Uys]

Het al die oorsaak van die skewe wiel bepaal?

[Biscut]

"Hoppalong" (dis nou die kar se nuwe naam met sy krom been en grondpad reputasie) is by die paneelklopper vandag en ek sal presies weet wat hulle wil vervang. Al wat ek kan dink dit kan wees is die wishbone. Wat nie sin maak nie is dat die wiel se boonste gedeelte ingebuig is, dus moes die wishbone rek? Is dit moontlik?

[Henris]

Wow. That sounds like the points where the bottom wishbone attach, have been pull outwards?