Hi Jim, “It doesn't get any easier, does it?” No unfortunately not.The price paid for mover I could get 4 years storage, (if I could get storage). The big down side to a mover is the weight at 35 or 40kg is a fair amount off your pay load, so there is always going to be a trade off. AL-KO looks to be addressing the weight issue with their integrated Mammut mover weighing in at 29kg, a good 6kg less than the average mover, though according to their specification sheet they will only fit chassis from 2010 with the pre set holes for the mover, the under slung fitted version is still 36kg. My van has a Max weight of 900kg, with van empty it weighs 780kg then mover 40kg added, brings it up to 820kg, leaving me with a payload of 80kg, which is not a great payload, unfortunately that’s the price I have to pay, that is why I weigh all accessories, and use a spread sheet to keep an eye on load. The other disadvantages of a mover, if I have had to use it, I have to remember and have it switched off before connecting to EHU, and as it is under slung, have always got to be aware of speed bumps, uneven ground, pot holes. As said there is always a trade off.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
i wouldnt have a caravan without a mover now. i can reverse it no problem , virtually anywhere, but no matter how brilliant you are or think you are at reversing if theres cars/vans parked opposite the drive and either side of the drive in a narrow residential street then there simply aint room to back the van into the drive .
its a mover or dont have a caravan , simple choice for us
I agree entirely bev+jon, my wife and I used to man handle our Elddis Whirlwind in and out of our rear garden which was a little bit of a struggle with two opposite angle 90% corners 10 yards apart. Five years ago we got our Avaondale and had to rely on having help from family/friends depending on departure/arrival times. I made up a plate and fitted a winch and ball, this did the job but still a bit of a struggle. Four years ago I fitted a Powrtouch, I can now load up the van, check out the nose weight and get it out and onto our car all alone, and back into our garden all alone without any struggle whatsoever. I also use it to get onto a pitch if it`s a little awkward, yes I can reverse with the van on as I`ve been reversing cars and caravans, trailers, breakdown trucks with cars suspended for most of my working life. Why should I abuse my car clutch when I have a mover fitted.
If you're abusing the clutch you need a bigger car. Or of course an automatic. Let the torque converter handle it.
Most people who have movers seem to have them for parking at home. We used to have the van at home, and it was convenient in many ways, but you do have problems with parked cars, and the Police certainly seem to think it's a dangerous thing to do. Firstly, it's available to vandals, and secondly it does tell burglars when you're away from home.
The Police pointed that out to me following a local burglary, and we moved the van into storage immediately. It just made so much sense. For the cost involved, storage is a far better option. It's a great comfort to know the caravan is in a compound that's manned 24/7.
The staff bring it to the gate whenever you tell them you want it, and we just call them ten minutes before we get back. We leave it just inside the gate and they park it. There's nothing easier. The service is fantastic.
Im sure a twin axle mover would take at least 60Kg off my payload, and I'm just not prepared to haul that much dead weight about.
To each his own of course, but i seems an obvious solution to me. Why would I want to mess about trying to get the van behind my house at the end of a long drive back from my holiday destination?
To those who do struggle like that, I do suggest you give storage a try. If you're not spending money on a mover, plus fuel to drag it around, storage really isn't that expensive, and the peace of mind is wonderful.
i like my van at home where i can see it and where i know its not going to get damaged by "mr nobody" backing a van in either side.
easier for cleaning , packing and as theres usually one or other of the offspring about when we are away , no concerns other than normal over burglars.
just depends on peoples circumstances really. if i had to use a storage site id think twice about having a van at all,yet more expense year on year.
it all adds up
right , off back out into the garden to finish washing the van
I did`nt say I was abusing my clutch, and no I don`t need a bigger car, and would not have an automatic unless I had some physical disabillity, my Vectra 2.0 DTi handles my 1100kg caravan with ease. I have had the job of replacing many many clutches on a wide variety of vehicles.
Quote: Originally posted by alan29 on 31/7/2011
When we downgraded from out TT to a caravan, I would only do it if we had a mover fitted. Its supposed to be a holiday, not an ironman contest.
Hi Alan, just interested, why did you downgrade? We are starting from the bottom and looking to upgrade from our ranger soon.
Quote: Originally posted by stephenn280575 on 31/7/2011
Quote: Originally posted by alan29 on 31/7/2011When we downgraded from out TT to a caravan, I would only do it if we had a mover fitted. Its supposed to be a holiday, not an ironman contest.
Hi Alan, just interested, why did you downgrade? We are starting from the bottom and looking to upgrade from our ranger soon.
Started camping about 10 years ago with a lovely Outwell tent. Got the bug and bought a Raclet TT - its the being under proper canvas. Now into our 60s and the TT has become a bit heavy (solid fibreglass top that has to be flipped over.) So we have downgraded from canvas to a standard look-alike white plastic box. we bought a full awning, so at least we keep some feeling of being "outdoors." But it feels like a downgrade.
You said if your are, yes I did say WHY should I, I did not say I was. I think you just like to wind people up, regarding the mover topic I have noticed this is not the first time this debate has arrisen
You do it your way, I'll do it my way. No problem to me whatever you do, as I pointed out earlier. I'm not here to wind anybody up. Why would I? I am just expressing a logical opinion
Which I will continue to do.
Jim
We've had a mover now for over 5 years - it has been fitted on 3 successive vans now.
We very rarely use it. However, hubby says it is like Dumbo's feather! As long as he has it, he feels confident that its there in case things get difficult - but in fact he can almost always move the van just where he wants it with the car, plus a little people power.
Sometimes, it has saved the car's clutch from unecessary strain and we wouldn't be able to occasionally bring the van to the house without it. Normally the van is in storage and on a level concrete floor, so we only need the mover in storage if hubby is hitching the van up all by himself.
We've used it a few times for some awkward levelling - e.g. when there isn't room to have the car & van hitched. It really does make it easy to inch the van up levelling wedges with a mover.
It's not the best thing ever, but a useful luxury in addition to manouevring skills.
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Topic: got to have one!!
