Abstract: A vehicle recovery unit is disclosed comprising a first boom (9) which is pivotally mountable on the fifth wheel (6) of a tractor unit (1), beneath which first boom (9) is pivotally mounted a second boom (11). The second boom (11) is pivotally moveable with respect to first boom (9) by a piston and cylinder arrangement (13). The second boom (11) may be secured to a vehicle to be recovered (3) by a locking pin (25) a chain under tension (26) and a load bearing member (27) so that the second boom (11) is rigidly secured to the lorry (3). When in use, the attachment of the recovery unit (2) to the lorry (3) is rigid and the combined lorry (3) and vehicle recovery unit (2) are pivotable only about the fifth wheel (6) of the tractor unit (1). The vehicle recovery unit (2) is free standing by legs (20) so that the tractor unit (1) may be detached from the recovery unit (2) and driven away to leave the recovery unit (2) free standing.