HI Folks,
We have managed to convince next door to allow us to store the van there.
But its a bit of a nightmare to manover it so we had a wee look on ebay and saw these things-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/caravan-motor-mover-vgc-/260600332241?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item3cacfd7fd1
Now i see you can buy ones that bolt on to the chassis and driveon the wheels but they are far more expensive, this cheaper option looks just the ticket for us, but have a few questions.
When you fit this in place of the jocky wheel can it be left in situ as a permanet replacement for the jocky wheel or is it fitted only when you want to manover the van about?(just thinking of the weight of it on the nose of the van)
also are they capable of pusing/pulling on a slope?
any advice on the above as always is much appreciated.
cheers.
I have not seen many positive views on this type of mover. Even if they have the power they might struggle for grip on anything but a very smooth and level surface. I admit to having no personal experience of using one but I did look into them before getting a permanently mounted mover that is really great.
The price of the chassis mounted movers has come down a lot with more firms competing for trade.
The Jockey wheel types are no good on loose or gravel surfaces, they also wont get the van moving if on mud and have a tendancy to 'slip' due to less tyre surface than the latest versions which bolt onto the chasis. We have Reich mover fitted to our van and its brilliant for accurate movements, and being able to cope on gravel and muddy surfaces as it works by using the caravans own wheels steered by the movers friction pads on the tyres. We have the Comfort model and would recommend them to anyone.
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!
I have no personal experience of these jockey wheel jobbies and I must admit I was not convinced that they are up to any more than the simplest of jobs.
There are always a lot on ebay which is not a good sign.
I had an opportunity to buy one very cheaply some years ago, and since it was from a very close friend he lent it to me to try out. All I wanted was to push my van off the road up a slight slope ( it rises about two feet over 30 feet ) with all the surface being tarmac. It failed completely to be able to do this it just did not have enough weight on the front to be able to grip and the wheel spunuselessly as soon as it hit the slope. My Rhyno mover on the other hand does the job effortlessly.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Sounds like it wont do the job for me then as I would need it to move the van up a bit of a slope.
I only paid £550 for the van so its just not worth paying the same or more to buy the wheel mounted ones, Ill stick to pushing it then :)
thanks for the feed back all.