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I am considering changing my caravan (single axle) and have looked at a twin axle van. What are the differences  good/bad points when towing and manovering on to pitches or storage? Are you able to push a twinaxle round a tight 90 degree turn by hand or is a mover required.

Many thanks in anticipation of your comments

Much safer, but you won't move it by hand. We've had twins for many years, no mover, never needed one, and we never ever push it anywhere.

Jim

Hi twin axle units are imho are:

 More stable when towing and a tyre blowout isnt as bad as a single axle

 in fact they are easier to reverse, more room but much heavier and a suitable car is required I have found the twin axles are cheaper than the up to 1500kls range again because of the car

Unless your charles atlas they are just about impossable to move on your own and for this reason I have a motor-mover fitted you don,t see many twin,s without one

I've had quite a few twins, and never had one.  Over rated, in my opinion. The car's there for moving the caravan.

Jim

I  agree Robin I have mine for those just in case moments

Although 9 out of 10 times I manage without using it Its comforting to know I have the option as I have do ours on my own as the wife is disabled

I am quite severely disabled, but can't imagine when I would ever want a motor mover.  The only time it would be useful is if you were storing the caravan behind the house, or something like that.

We haven't had a caravan at home for about thirty years, following police advice. As well as being a target for criminals, it advertises the times you are away from home.  We moved it to storage that same week, and would never have one at home again - until I win the Euromillions and have a gated castle.

I don't need a mover at my storage yard, or at any site I've ever been to.  I bought my first caravan in 1966, when there were no motor movers.

I wouldn't spend all that money for something I would never use, and I certainly wouldn't drag all that extra weight around with me.  Payload is too precious for that.

Among other things, I used to tow trailers for a living, and most of those never had motor movers.  You don't get them on anything except caravans, so why bother for a small proportion of your towing?

I've managed quite well without over half a million miles of towing, 3 million on the road in total, I won't be buying one now.

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by Greendemon315 on 19/11/2011

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My storage yard has never had an incident of any kind.
Your signature and photograph are checked when you want to take your van out. I feel totally secure, with the gate manned day and night.
So if motor movers didn't exist you wouldn't go caravanning?
Jim

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I think that you need to realise that for some people a mover is an essential part of the caravanning process, for instance although I am competent in reversing a caravan I will use the mover to:

Position the caravan on the DRIVE with the hitch tight against a wall.

I will use the mover to turn the caravan around ready to pull off.

I will use the mover in France and Spain to position the caravan on the pitch where I would like it to be and this can even be across the back of the pitch,

None of the above can be done just by reversing with a car.

Perhaps you only reverse onto Caravan Club site pitches which is the only thing that is allowed.

Mike