In the world of vehicle recovery, HIAB recovery trucks are a big deal. Vastly more capable than traditional flatbed trucks (or even low loaders), HIAB-equipped vehicles are essentially the Rolls-Royce of car recovery: if they can’t recover a car, not much else would stand a chance!

But what does HIAB actually mean, and what exactly can these remarkable vehicles do in comparison to regular, run of the mill trucks?

What does HIAB stand for?

You might have heard the term ‘HIAB’ in relation to forklifts, cranes, hooklifts and tail lifts as well as recovery vehicles. That’s because it’s a brand that specialises in load handling, providing all kinds of solutions to all kinds of problems: its products are used by companies the world over.

HIAB actually stands for ‘Hydraliska Industri AB.’ This Swedish company doesn’t actually manufacture recovery trucks, just the cranes that are fitted to the back of them.

What can a HIAB truck do?

What can’t a HIAB truck do is a more useful question. OK, so they can’t make you breakfast or mop the floor, but they can recover a range of vehicles in any condition from all kinds of tricky situations.

Picture a vehicle that’s been in a hefty accident. It’s lost a wheel or two and no longer runs. Getting a heavily damaged vehicle like this onto the back of a flatbed truck, using just a winch, wouldn’t be a fun process. But a HIAB crane-equipped vehicle can latch onto the chassis, no matter how damaged, lift the car up and deposit it onto the truck bed safely.

HIAB’s precise and powerful cranes give operators total control, allowing them to position the car accurately for a safe and efficient recovery.

Our HIAB recovery services

If you’re local to Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk (or travel through these regions often), keep our details handy. We have a fleet of high-tech HIAB vehicles, allowing us to make light work of recovering your vehicle – no matter its condition. We operate 24 hours a day all year round, too! Find out more about our HIAB recovery services today.