Flat Tyres Are Collection Details, Not Footnotes
Flat tyres on Dales pickups can change how an old car is moved long before it reaches the recovery truck. A vehicle with one soft tyre on firm tarmac may still roll. A car with two tyres off the rim on grass, gravel or a slope can drag, twist or dig into the ground.
That is why tyre condition belongs in the first collection message. It is not only a vehicle-value detail. It tells the driver how the car may behave when winched, pushed or pulled from its current position.
Say Which Tyres Are Affected
Be specific if you can. Say whether the flat tyre is front or rear, nearside or offside, and whether the wheel is still sitting on rubber. A tyre that is merely low is different from one shredded, missing or off the rim. If you cannot tell, send a photo of each side.
Wheel position matters too. A flat front tyre on a car with steering trouble may make turning harder. A flat rear tyre on a car parked against a wall may drag close to the stonework. A tyre sunk into soft ground can make the first pull slower than expected.
Describe The Ground Under The Vehicle
The same tyre problem behaves differently on different surfaces. Firm tarmac is usually more predictable than wet grass, mud, loose gravel, rutted yard ground or an uneven track. A sloped drive adds another layer because the car may not roll evenly once it starts moving.
Tell the collector what the car is standing on and whether the ground changes between the vehicle and the loading point. If the truck can get close on firm ground, say that. If the car must cross a soft verge or gravel yard first, make it clear.
If the vehicle is on a lane edge, mention whether the nearest firm surface is road, yard or drive because that affects the first pull.
Check Brakes, Keys And Steering
Flat tyres are easier to deal with when the rest of the car still cooperates. Keys can release the steering lock. A free handbrake lets the car move. Steering that turns gives the driver more control. If any of those are missing, the tyre problem becomes more important.
Before pickup, check whether the handbrake releases and whether the wheels can be pointed straight. If the car has been standing for a long time, do not assume the brakes are free. A short honest note is better than a surprise on collection day.
Use Photos To Avoid Guesswork
Take one photo showing each flat tyre and another showing the wider access. Include the ground, the nearest wall or kerb, and the route to where the truck can stand. If a tyre is off the rim, photograph it from an angle that shows the wheel clearly.
Do not worry about making the car look good. The useful photo is the one that lets the driver understand what has to move. It helps the collection plan match the real vehicle, not the tidy version in a registration lookup.
Prepare The Easiest Route
If the car is safe to move a short distance before collection, only do that with proper care. Often the better preparation is to clear the route, move obstacles, unlock the gate and make sure the keys are ready. If another vehicle blocks the firmer ground, move that instead.
Send the tyre details, surface notes, movement checks and photos with the quote request. Flat tyres rarely stop a pickup by themselves, but they do need to be part of the plan.