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I've taken the brave step of moving up from Canvas to Caravan. But i have what potentially could be a problem with moving the van onto my gravel drive made worse with the downward slope entry before levelling out. Would a Hitchlock style Motor Mover be any good to manouver the van into position on the driveway i wonder ?

I'm collecting the van next weekend once i've got my tow bar fitted...... I'm now feeling quite nervous and wondering whether i've done the right thing !!

Having demonstrated the Mr Shifta movers several years and also having owned one for five years or so I make the following comments.

The Shifta will work perfectly OK on a hard surface with a gradient and will work perfectly OK on gravel with the traction type tyres fitted. We had a very slight gradient on gravel and it just about managed it.

The hitch type of mover requires noseweight on the van to help its traction and therefore if you can increase this [ie. bag of sand on the a frame, person in van at front] you will increase its performance.

However I would suggest with anything more than a slight gradient on gravel you will struggle.

Dave

Proper mover is the best way - way less stressful. We bought a caravan last year after using a FC. Wouldn't be able to get the 'van off the drive witout the mover.

We bought a s/h one from a dealer and got them to fit it - was less than a year old and was £400 all in. I then sold our Mr Shifta for most of that ! Mover is the best thing we have bought since the 'van and worth every penny.

There are a few on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRUMA-CARAVAN-MOTOR-MOVER-TE-verrsion-uk-/140784626617?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item20c76aebb9

I have also found that a jockey wheel with a pnuematic tyre works best on gravel.

If you are not sorted by next weekend make sure you arrange to have a few helpers on hand to help get it in place - just dont let them yank the van around using the handles too violently.