The OP obviously does not live in a lane only a foot wider than the van is long!
Plus the drive is a climb and dip.
Having a large, heavy van without a mover, under the above conditions, is a non starter.
Been towing for over 50 years , can reverse tolerably competently, but only where it is physically possible.
We have had TTs, FC and Caravans for over 40 years and apart from seeing them used on sites, never gave them a thought for ourselves.
However about 7 years ago we bought a new van and it came with a motor mover. At first it was a bit of a novelty and a good laugh when the local kids were playing around the front of the garage where the van lived and I would unhitch the van and then "tell it to park itself in the garage" and off it would go (on the MMs) and trundle itself into the garage. The kids were astounded that a caravan "would do what it was told, all by itself"!
Since then all our units have had MMs and I wouldn't do without them. You just never know when you will need one.
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 09/4/2014
I find most caravanners tend to be very practical people and they do not buy things just to be one up on the next guy.
Motor Movers for those that have them are a necessity for their owners for whatever reasons these may be and making snide remarks about their supposed lack of skills is very immature.
read all my comments before making silly remarks.or better still,keep them to yourself
For us its the essential piece of kit that allows us to keep Caravanning into our later years, as im disabled myself, and my OH has a bad back and is in his 70s, so is unable to handle the caravan manually. We also live on a fairly busy road, and need to hitch up and be out of the way as quickly as possible, and then be able to reverse the process with inch perfect accuracy on our return. For us, its about the best bit of caravanning kit ever invented.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Quote: Originally posted by glittering-prize on 08/4/2014
Even in storage I reverse it in,and thats quite tight.So am I missing something or should people learn to reverse with a van?
After reading the answers to your op you now know what you were missing & can can conclude that ukcs never fails to educate & inform.
Ours is useful to get the van on our drive, slight up gradiant to get it on, plus too many cars in the close now so it makes reversing on more difficult.
It saves wear on the clutch.
Its easier to fit the Al-Ko lock.level etc.
Easy to fit on fairly tight pitches as it can turn in its own length.
I'm not getting any younger and don't want to hurt my back!
Technology is designed to make life easier so use it!
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 10/4/2014
We haven't got a MM, but I'd like to know, how 'strong' are they?
Our Powrtouch HD3 powers our 1900kg single axle caravan up and down our 1:14 drive with total competence.
Surface is tarmac and concrete strip. It probably would struggle driving over a 3/4" diameter stick.
But I could not manually do what it does.
It is the traction of the roller to the tyre that limits its ability, that slips, not the unit stalling.
I have a motor mover to park my caravan on the drive. There is only a couple of inches either side going through the gates, it is a narrow road - no room to get the car and caravan aligned and the drive has a slight gradient and a bit of a step, so no pushing
Quote: Originally posted by glittering-prize on 12/4/2014
As i said,some good points,and in some cases much needed,but i dont need one yet,i think when i do,i will sell the van
Perhaps if you wait as long as you think you will have to, caravanning will be the only type of holiday that will be left open to you!
Quote: Originally posted by glittering-prize on 12/4/2014
As i said,some good points,and in some cases much needed,but i dont need one yet,i think when i do,i will sell the van
I take it you are not that fond of caravanning when you would just give it up it possibly for health reasons if you needed a MM to continue caravanning.
My MM has allowed me to continue enjoying my caravan and I am not one to give up so easy.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I fitted ours just before I had a hip replaced, much safer to let the mover take the strain than me try to push it when reversing is not an option. Some of the sites we have been on in Switzerland were impossible to reverse onto, or at least the one's we were given.
------------- 73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 12/4/2014
Quote: Originally posted by glittering-prize on 12/4/2014
As i said,some good points,and in some cases much needed,but i dont need one yet,i think when i do,i will sell the van
I take it you are not that fond of caravanning when you would just give it up it possibly for health reasons if you needed a MM to continue caravanning. My MM has allowed me to continue enjoying my caravan and I am not one to give up so easy.
yes i am fond of caravanning,otherwise i would not own one.I have towed for over 20 years.And not really a cheap outfit at that.I will be at country meadows in skegg this bank holiday if anyone wants to say hello