Also, I see that the Powrtouch movers seem to have rollers that have a gritty textured surface, whereas other brands have splined/grooved rollers. Surely the textured rollers will eventually wear out and need replacing?
I have a manual activated Powrtouth and have now got used to applying the rollers which takes some effort but in addition the kick you get when you de-activate them. My wife is only just about able to apply them and you need to get used to the amount of leverage required.
On your second point from memory my rollers are alloy and not textured but I might be wrong. However I would imagine they would take a number of years use before they wore out.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
My Powrtouch rollers have a very coarse,, sharp dimpled texture which is part of the casting. Given they run against a rubber thee they should never wear. The actuation on the Powrtouch does take a lot of force and if you have the powrbar to link both sides then obviously it takes twice the force. I am a health 39 year old. I think a frail 70 year old would find it impossible to engage.
I have just fitted the HD version with the manual actuator. I find it easy enough to engage/disengage.....I didnt think the auto engage was value for money for a 5 second job. However I can understand the need for less able bodied people though.
Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 11/8/2011
I think a frail 70 year old would find it impossible to engage.
Well I meet the 70 year bit but still have no trouble setting my coupled PowrTouch HD; at our age its best to keep exercising.
If it can be kept simple then that's good but a point worth noting is where you store the van can you access one side to set and unset the rollers. In my case its tight but possible however I can envisage situations where access could be impossible.
I also like to put the handle on the driving seat so I never forget to take the thing off before driving.[that's not only an age thing, seen it attempted by a younger man]. Is the auto release fool proof or as memory jogging as a handle on the driving seat?
As I said my first choice is not complicate it if possible.
I considered adding power actuation to my Powertouch mover last year after my hip operation as I was not sure I would be able to apply enough pressure to the switch over lever. Anyway as time and recovery went on I found it just as easy to operate as before so was glad I did not rush to spend £300!
Thanks everyone. Someone told me today that they've often seen folk pitch up and then find the auto actuator isn't working! Perhaps manual is better?
I'm swinging towards the Powrrtouch HD. Access to the side of my caravan is impossible when stored in my garage, could I leave the roller engaged against the tyres whilst in storage?
You're not supposed to leave the mover engaged as it puts a lot of pressure on the tyre walls. Having said that, On the few occasions I have parked our caravan on the street in front of the house, I have left the mover engaged as I don't trust the hand brake (one of the horrible ratchetless ones)
If you cannot get down the sides, you need to consider where you will mount the isolator switch too. It is normally mounted in the battery locker, but if it is unreachable then it's no good, particularly as the Powrtouch (probably the others too) automatically switch them selves off after a certain period and need the power turning off and on before they will restart.
Thanks Dave. There's no way I can access the sides of the caravan once it's in the garage, but I can access the front battery compartment so could put the switch there.
So should I risk leaving the rollers engaged on the tyres, or pay extra for an automatic remote controlled actuation?
I'm hoping to visit the NEC caravan show in October, perhaps I should speak to one of the traders
Quote: Originally posted by dale0843 on 11/8/2011
Thanks Dave. There's no way I can access the sides of the caravan once it's in the garage, but I can access the front battery compartment so could put the switch there.
So should I risk leaving the rollers engaged on the tyres, or pay extra for an automatic remote controlled actuation?
I see you have no option but pay out for powered disengagement. Leaving the roller locally deflecting the tyre, whilst in storage is not something I would be prepared to do.
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Topic: Powered or manual actuation (movers)
