Hopefully this will fit into right section. Just bought a second hand twin axle caravan 2005 with a carver motor mover fitted. The issue with it is that it doesn't seen to want to move the van left or right, seems to "stall" whilst trying to undertake manoeuvre. However it has power to move the van without much effort backwards and forwards. Is this a common issue due to nature of twin axle vans or is the mover at fault? Thanks. Rob
surely when moving with the mover the other axle would need to be off the ground ie drive on the rear axle and front axle jacked using a decent jockey wheel?
We move a lot of twin axle trailers by hand lifting the front axle with the jockey wheel as you dont stand a chance getting the 2 axles to fight against each other. even if we have 4 people pushing where as one person can do this with ease with the front axle off the ground.
On TA caravans that have a single axle mover the drive is on the front axle so by dropping the jockey wheel as low as possible takes some of the weight off the rear tyres. The software for TA single axle drives is slightly different to the normal single axle caravan software. It pulses the inside wheel when turning which is what I think you are referring to as stalling. In general the TA will not turn easily on a mover and sometimes you have to do a bit of shunting back and forwards to make the turn tight. Even with both axles driven the turning circle is still not like a single axle that will spin on a sixpence.
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Hi. Many thanks for the information. The mover is just on rear set of wheels, and you have to manually clamp it down. If I am reading things right is there a differing opinion re jockey wheel i.e. one saying to wind right up getting front tyres off floor, and another saying to get it really low down putting more pressure on front tyres? I did actually wind it all way up, as I have done with trailers, taking weight and trailer was easier to move, but to be honest didnt make much difference with the TA caravan. Will try all way down. I appreciate that one set of wheels are "fighting against" other set. Was just a bit miffed that it seems to work perfectly in a straight line, albeit slow, and seemed to be somewhat hopeless trying to turn on an angle. Perhaps I need to eat more shredded wheat!!!!
Drop nose down if on front axle or lift nose if on rear axle. It does not increase the speed of operation but it noticeably reduces the scrub on the un powered tyres. tbh in most cases a front mounted tow hitch is easier and quicker if you have to move it much, and it saves battery if you are going on a non ehu pitch.
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I have a TA abbey, I also have a carver mover but mine is fitted to the front wheels, it is true you do have a bit of jolting when trying to turn left or right, but if your battery is fully charged it should have no problem,
I have just had 2 motors fitted onto the front axle of a twin axle and no probs.
On my Enduro Serries 2 that I have just had fitted om my twin axle the control box had to be set to twin axle mode. What this does is instead of the caravan turning on a tight circle like a single axle would (one wheel forward, other back to spin the caravan) the outer wheel moves in the same direction but at a faster speed than the inner wheel. This stops the wheel scraping mentioned above.
This means that instead of turing on the spot it slightly moves forward and turns at same time. Hope that makes sense.
The enduro series 2 works on both single and twin axles, I presume other makes could work different though.
Hi Suffolk Rob
I understand that you need power to all four wheels, just look at the adverts for new motor movers and you will have your answer
I it a tight spot that you are trying to get in if not suggest you a caravan towing course
Good luck
if you were already lifting the front axle and the movers are on the rear axle try a good trailer jockey wheel made for twin axle trailers these are longer an will list easier the only problem is they stick up higher and can cause problems with some rear doors on 4x4 and hatch opening where as a traditional caravan JW you can drop to clear.
the JW I recomend and I dont see any problems with is on this link
Good idea in theory Pete but most big twin axle 'vans will ground out on the rear if lifted high or there is a slight slope in the wrong direction. I get this problem every time I put my 'van away and have to drop the nose as low as possible simply to get it up the slope without grounding. Hence the use of a front mounted towbar with a drop plate.
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Rob this problem comes up time after time, Birder99 has the answer, front mounted towbar.
I have used one and its so easy to use and a LOT cheaper.
the only other way is to fit a very expensive four wheel drive mover. video