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Hi Fidgad,

Do more homework on the movers,just because one Techy guy says no, We've just been told only one type can be fitted,but reading the forums tells us differently.Have ourselves been reading the forums and had advice given from members on the Jockey movers, we've decided against buying one as they sound like hard work, but each to his own.

Di and Jeff

Quote: Originally posted by Fidgad on 22/1/2011

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I heve just bought a Raclet Tamaris (similar to Trigano Randger 575TC) and aked for a mover system to be installed.  The techy guy has informed us that the chasis system is unsuitable for fitting mover system.   So it looks as if I need to look at Jockey Mover systems.   I need it mainly to get the vehicle in and out of the drive with fairly tight corners and shallow gravel.   Any ideas and reviews folks?

Thanks - Frank

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Hi Frank, You "techy guy" is only half right.

The chassis on a Folding Camper is too shallow to take a motor mover but there are special brakets available that will bolt to your FC chassis to deepen it and allow the fitting of the Mover.

I have just had an Enduro 2 motor mover fitted by NVS.

The problem I was told by the techy (Casey's) is that the Tamaris has two lateral struts across the chassis in front of and behind the wheels whereas Conway/Pennine and other 'vans have only one either front or behind.   Therefore mover cannot be fitted as there is no way it can be fitted and able to make contact with the wheels.   It is not about the depth of chassis but the extra beam.  Rightfully Casey's are reluctant to do any butchery even though they do not understand why there should be two beams.   I am considering writing to head office at Trigano. I may also try talking with a nice man at Camperlands to see of they have fitted movers to the Randger 575TC. 

I really appreciate all the feedback - Frank

Hi Fidgad, Yes, that beam would certainly prevent the fitting of a motor to wheel mover.

We tried a Jockey Wheel Mover (Big Foot) on a previous unit and it was a waste of space.

It could only be used at our home storage area and only on a completely level and flat surface. Indeed the type of surface that I would not need to use a motor mover in the fist place.

It would not move it on gravel, even the slightest slope or across grass.

Fortunately I bought it second hand and I sold it with no loss to myself.

It may be worth considering getting rid of your present FC and investing in one that you could fit a Motor Mover to.

Fidgad,

Powrtouch do bespoke movers for Folding Campers, (might be worth a try,) We've just E-mailed them ourselves to enquire.

Coast walkers.

Hi Camcroft,

Thanks for reply,

Yes ours is Q 2+2, same as Countryman,have already e-mailed Powrtouch and Rhyno and awaiting their replies,Noted your mover works well over gravel,We're itching to  try ours out once we get a mover fitted,otherwise we'll be going nowhere,it was a struggle to get it in the driveway and swing it round with the 3 of us pushing it in the first place,(good job we only bought the small unit.)

What's your unit like to use ? (the fores and against?) Took us years of indecision and saving before we went from two man TT to FC

Hi.Coast walkers

To tell you the truth we have still not been away in it.we got it in october and I had a hand operation so I couldn`t drive.but we did put it up in the garden and Yes we did sleep in it overnight ( very sad ) we also managed to move it around the garden over gravel and grass that we had previously struggled with our pennine fiesta which was the same size.Really looking forward to getting out again.Our unit had only been used for 4 nights by the previous owner he sold it due to ill health,he bought the unit at one of the shows and I think he had the rhyno mover fitted through the dealer before he got it.Hope you manage to get one sorted out.Cheers.Alex

Hi camcroft (Alex)

You did make us laugh. We too got our new baby in October, took our beloved old TT up north in all that snow to exchange it for the FC. We've got a good photo of our car and TT in the snow at the service station caravan parking area,can't understand why we had the choice of where to park, its not like that in sumertime.We did wonder if passing motorists thought we were actually going camping in the snow. Mind you we had thought about using it overnight, due to the journey distance but after only having one demonstration on how to erect the FC, didn't think we were quite up to it yet, we arrived home at midnight and thats when the fun and games (on the gravel) started.

The Countryman was originally the one we were off to buy, but came back with another, as you do. Sounds like you've got a good buy there,especially with the mover already fitted.

We too also managed to open it up, it was a bit like the excitement of unwrapping an early Christmas pressy, but the thought of sleeping in it in all that cold weather didn't even cross our minds like some (sad, mad people  .)

Happy Camping,

Di and Jeff.

Hey Lobey,quote "It may be worth considering getting rid of your present FC " we haven't got it yet!   Picking it up on 2nd Feb from Casey's.    Don't think we'll sleep in it straight away though in the garden.   I hadn't considered a mover before I put the deposit on it.  'Tis not the end of the world though and I may just try a hitch thingy although reports on them ain;t that good. 

Hey Coastwalkers  We may try getting one fitted later.  I know a couple of good caravan guys just set up in business that I can also trust to see if there was a possibility.  Am having new 110 ampH battery fitted  anyway.  Hoping to do Eastern Europe this summer, i,e Poland and Lithuania etc.

Hi, not read all the replies, maybe someone has considered this already, but I have limited time to read tonight.

 Your post:

We're thinking of laying 'Reinforced (plastic interlockable) Grids' underneath our gravel driveway,as we're finding it almost impossible to manually push our new FC around from it's parking position over to hitch it onto our car,.The jockey wheel sinks deep into the stones.

I have had a Rhyno fitted to my unit, it works a treat.  Have you also considered making a causeway within the stones, with slabs or  concrete. (only for the width of the jockey wheel). You can cover the slabs laid at 2" depth below your top base of stones, and uncover them  by, moving to either side to create a causeway free of the stones, when you want to depart.  Depending on the length of your drive, you could clear them to one side before you leave for break, and move them back when you return.  Cost is minor, effort is minimal, (bit of raking and sweeping), and if you have the ability of moving the unit when this obstruction is removed, then you will save shed loads of cash, in not having to fork out on movers. But I recommend them myself, why make the experience more difficult.  I hope this option is helpful, but if not then nothing lost, only my time and effort typing this on after a hard days work.

Paul

 Thank you Paul, (Kind of you, after long day at work too.)

Had thought of making a runway,using boards/slabs,even a jockey ski, to improve on the jockey wheels performance , but the van has to be rotated 180 degrees and moved over at the same time,also need the front garden to still look ok . We're going to thin out the gravel soon, when the weather improves ,and have enquired about a pneumatic jockey wheel. We,ve had a motor mover man round to look at the frame, and are now waiting for an answer, doesn't look as though we will be getting a straight forward one though.( just get that feeling )

Will keep you updated

Thanks Paul,

Di and Jeff.

Ps. Was your's a straight forward fitting of  the mover or bespoke ?

Pleasure, I understand your garden issues and understand the diffculty.   If you do get a mover, then problem solved.  It goes in and out in straight line.  Basically.   If you want it facing roadside, then the mover applied and locked on also acts as a theft device if you can get one side close to a structure, and trust me you can get it inches tight to buildings.   The van is then ready on the same line to do the exit.  or alternatively hitch in first, with the jockey on the stripe you have or will have made.  QED.  If you can do this without rotation into your space, then the strip will be the best option and cheap.  It will in essence leave the cosmetics of your garden the same, on the occasions of travel, a rake and brush will expose the base for a smooth exit or entry.  Its totally up to you, your money at the end of the day, just a suggestion.

Been to Court today so less stressful for me, so I have a little more time.

I can't remember your specific unit, but mine is a crusader,and lovely beast it is too.  Wanted a caravan really which would have been cheaper, but the yearly costs for them are too excessive and i can be a tight A*** or Scottish on occasions.          The expense of my unit, taking into account long term yearly costs proved to be the serious option.   The movement of my unit became a problem, after purchase.   I shopped around, Powertouch seemed the only real option at that time. Glossy brochure and price seemed ok. Then they said i needed an additional bit of kit at more cost,  so I shopped around again and found Rhyno.  Spoke to Simon, who I think owns the company, and negotiated the deal over the phone.  He did sound a bit of  'gezza and jack the lad - Delboy type,over the phone, just like me!.  His fitter came to home address and fitted the mover with additional kit, bespoke!    No extra cost, quick service and easy payment.  In fact I had not paid Simon the money, but he said just pay it in in a day or two.Trusting and good customer service.  I should really ask for a commission, because I  have posted a few times on his kit.    

Bit long winded, but hopefully you can pick the bones out of what I have said.  We love Weymounth and have spent many a good trip at West Fleet camp site, who have spent some money now on a new shower block.  

 Hi Paul,

 Thanks for the reply,and advice, ( pleased to hear the stress has gone,)

ASAP we will get outside and thin out the gravel first,then we'll have a mini test run at your suggestion on the run way strip for the jockey wheel to see how well it works,Yes, it could save us money. The mover would be a bonus (and luxury,)   our car bumper got a slight mark when getting hitched up with the trailer due to the gravel and lip of our driveway,so the mover will be worth it.

We owned a TT before the FC, which was quite a large one, with cooker attached, it wasn't too bad to move around so we didn't think our new baby (Quartz 2+2) would be too much of a problem,with it's larger wheels to cope better on gravel,but we were wrong.

Yes we are very lucky to live in between Weymouth and Portland,and on top of the Olympic Sailing Playground. We ourselves have camped at West Fleet Farm,and it was good fun,especially liked the Barn (Night Club) Try camping at Sea Barn next door the two camps and Bagwell are owned by the same people,can also have the use of WFF's swimming Pool and facilities. The views up the Fleet Waters and over to Chesil Beach are fantastic especially when the sun drops into the sea at sundown. 

Thanks again,

Di and Jeff.