Friend bought a twin axle van at the weekend and has a power touch motor mover on it, when we tried to turn it, the tyres just looked liked they dug in the ground (this happened on both tarmac and gravel), it wouldn’t move any more than about 3 inches to the left or the right. It was fine going forward and backwards but we just couldn’t get it to turn.
I have a motor mover on my single axle van and it spins on a dime! Is this just a characteristic of a twin axle or do you think there was a problem?
Many thanks.
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
Does it have 2 or 4 rollers fitted. If it is 4 then, when you rotate, the back 2 will turn in opposite direcctions and the front two will "pulse" to follow on.
Did the wheels turn at all? If rollers not gripping properly cneck tyre pressure and distance of rollers from tyres when dis-engaged. Cound also check if all four rollers working when going forwards and backwards and the roller action when testing with rollers disengaged.
Thanks, the rollers did move and are engaged correctly, hence the movement forwards and backwards.
There is two rollers fitted to the front two wheels, the rear two wheels doesnt have any rollers on it.
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
Thats the nature of a twin axle, it will scrub the tyres if a force is applied to just one axle, if you watch HGV's with tri axles you will see the rear axle 'jump' if they are turning very tight. If the mover is on the front axle it helps to lower the nose of the 'van to reduce the load on the rear axle. Some movers on twin axles also have a modified pcb that pulses the power to the wheels thereby helping them to turn.
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Do you know what model of mover is fitted? The singles do work on a T/A as long as they are correctly match for weight, but htere will be a much bigger turning circle than with a single.
Even if it is an old fitting and out of warranty Pwerwheel will still offer assistance if you call there technical helpline.
Did you have the hand break on?
I have a 4 wheel motor mover on my twin. i would not recommend anything else for a twin axel van unless you just want to go in a straight line.
I have done a little test in which i only engage 2 of the motors and there is a huge difference in maneuverability compared to 4 motors. I have a Powertouch.
Just to add, you will never spin a twin on axis like you can a single.
Hi tk i have a twin axle with a motor mover on the front axle, and it will never turn as good as a single axle due to the drag of the rear axle tyers, as in other posts above i lower the front of the caravan as mutch as poss, this takes the weight off the rear tyers allowing the caravan to turn better, you wil never get it to turn like a single axle even with 4 motors. even so the mover and a front tow bar are the best bit of kit i have ever bought
Thanks all for the comments. Will try the lowering the nose etc to see what that does, just wanted to make sure we didnt have a problem.
Thanks again.
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
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Topic: Motor Mover - Problem?
