|
 Topic: Fitting a Motor Mover as a DIY Job
|
Page: 1 2
  |
11/6/2012 at 8:04pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/8/2003 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 183
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
The Electrics are no problem ... but, what about the mechanics?
I'm handy with a spanner - but, it's the working underneath which concerned me ... how to get the height, etc.
Now, a few weeks ago a Dealer said, "Just tip it on its end and fit it that way" .... which makes absolute sense really when i come to think about it.
Anyone done it this way? Lifting up the drawbar until the van is resting on its rear edge, then propping up the drawbar securely .... it seems really simple now that I type it - what space and room to work!
|
11/6/2012 at 8:32pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/10/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3383
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Just raise one end with the jockey wheel to get a bit more room underneath, lift the motor into the approximate position and support it on a jack or blocks of wood. Put the bolts in and tighten enough so that the clamps are still able to slide on the chassis rail and then position the roller properly and tighten fully. Repeat for the other side and slide the cross bar through and tighten its bolts. Then sort the wiring.
It took me nearly 2 hours the first time but that's due to 2 dodgy knees and a bad back and working on rough ground. When I swapped the mover to the new van it took me about 2 hours altogether which was handy as I had been quoted £220 to have it swapped.
Rob
|
| Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
|
11/6/2012 at 8:54pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/8/2003 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 183
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I see, thanks for that ..... I, too, have dodgy knees and back - but, have always done all engineering type work myself and would still like to.
Not too challenging then at all, really. The Electrics is nice and comfortable inside the van kneeling on the cushions out of the weather.
|
11/6/2012 at 9:05pm
Location: manchester
Outfit: Vx Antara & Elddis fusion 540
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 18/10/2004 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 364
| Site Reviews Total: | 3 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I've fitted my mover to the last 4 vans . I found it even easier if you pull the van onto 6 inch tall blocks first and then wind the front up to the max . It gives you even better room to work under the caravan . Its easier if you have a mate to help get the motors in position while you clamp it up but i have managed it alone using a trolley jack & assorted blocks of wood . I'd allow 4 hours the first time but with practice got it down to a couple of hours
|
11/6/2012 at 9:07pm
Location: East Yorkshire
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus 546
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 13/11/2004 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 1578
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 12 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
When I did mine I found 1litre paint tins were exactly the right height to rest it on whilst tightening the bolts.
Cheers
Paul
-------------
"Whether you think you can, or think you can't... You're right"
Trigano Chantiily TT > 87 Compass Connoisseur 380 > 2001 Bailey Ranger 500/5 > 2007 Sterling Europa 530 > Trigano Vendome > Bailey 546
|
11/6/2012 at 9:24pm
Location: DURHAM
Outfit: Mondeo TItanium 140 Avondale Mayfly 25
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/3/2005 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2526
| Site Reviews Total: | 8 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
As all the above have said, I lifted up the front till the rear edge was about an inch off the ground, chocks under front legs and jockey with rea legs dropped a little to stop rear grounding. Ample room for fitting
|
11/6/2012 at 9:45pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/8/2003 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 183
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Sounds just as simple as I hoped it would be - thanks all.
|
12/6/2012 at 9:27am
Location: Wales
Outfit: Volvo XC60 R Design
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 13/3/2011 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2044
| Site Reviews Total: | 61 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 4 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 8 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 5 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 25 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 28 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 38 |
|
That's the way I fitted mine, draw bar raised as far as possible, wheels chocked and ground sheet down to lie on. Found another pair of hands would have been helpful especially holding spacer one side while I held the spacer the other and nipped up, but managed OK after a bit of adjustment. Jobs a good un!
-------------
73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
|
12/6/2012 at 10:46am
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/8/2003 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 183
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Are these things as easy to steal as to fit?
Just wondered, all those new bolts still fresh and easy to undo?
Old movers will have corroded bolts and would be more troublesome I guess?
|
12/6/2012 at 11:27am
Location: Wales
Outfit: Volvo XC60 R Design
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 13/3/2011 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2044
| Site Reviews Total: | 61 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 4 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 8 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 5 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 25 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 28 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 38 |
|
Guess so, but thousands have them. You would have to be unlucky.
-------------
73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
|
12/6/2012 at 12:40pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/10/2007 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 3383
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
It would be easy to steal the motors but then they would have to break in to the caravan to find the control box and that would be useless without the remote control unit.
Rob
|
12/6/2012 at 12:52pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/8/2003 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 183
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
True ...
I guess the Remote should stay in the towing car then?
The control unit could be housed in a locked box too.
|
12/6/2012 at 12:52pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Swift Challenger 524
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 19/8/2008 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 535
| Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 7 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I found the hardest part was carrying the boxes from the car to the back garden / rear of drive when i have fitted two weeks ago a Easi mover from Riversway. Just raised the caravan and tipped it, and the money saved fitting it DIY paid for the tyron bands and new tyres to be fitted also. JOB DONE.
If anything its just the weight of the motors, but plenty of advice given above. Couple of hours max then get the BBQ out.
Chris W
|
12/6/2012 at 1:19pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/8/2003 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 183
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Sorted ....
And the best Motor Mover?
|
12/6/2012 at 1:28pm
Location: Barnsley
Outfit: Elddis Vogue 1991
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 26/4/2011 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 194
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
TrigGLX - i'm getting my easi mover delivered tomorrow fitting to be arranged just wondered what you thought of the kit it's self? I've never had a mover before infact only had the caravan since August last year so don't really know anything about them.
|
12/6/2012 at 3:27pm
Location: Wales
Outfit: Volvo XC60 R Design
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 13/3/2011 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2044
| Site Reviews Total: | 61 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 4 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 8 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 5 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 25 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 28 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 38 |
|
Quote: Originally posted by MrRee on 12/6/2012
Sorted .... And the best Motor Mover?
I fitted an Ego and am happy with it, no experience of others. Most people will be in the same position, not many with experience of many makes I should think.
-------------
73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
|
|
