recovery vehicle

recovery vehicle (plural recovery vehicles)

1. A vehicle designed and equipped for the recovery of other vehicles, which have either broken down, got stuck, or been involved in an accident.
   • 2020 August 26, “Network News: Mid-September before line reopens, says Network Rail”, in Rail, page 10:

     He said it was possible the main crane could directly reach some of the wrecked vehicles, but that others might need to be moved within reach using a Kirow rail crane or an Army armoured recovery vehicle such as a CRARRV.

Recovery vehicles vary in size according to the vehicles they are designed to recover, larger vehicles for trucks and buses, and smaller ones for cars and vans. A recovery vehicle with a tilting bed (for recovering cars and vans) shouldn't be called a tow truck or wrecker.

• breakdown lorry
• breakdown truck
• recovery truck
• tow truck
• wrecker