Which motor mover to buy?

RogerU
RogerU Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited January 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hello and Happy new year. After many years of caravanning we have decided its time to fit a motor mover. we are both in our 70's and its getting harder to get the van on and off the drive. advice please.

Comments

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited January 2016 #2

    Firstly, you won't regret getting one as we are in our 60's and with a large van it's manageable with two only on smooth tarmac.

    Assume you have single axle in which case plenty of choice. Powertouch always appear to get rave reviews for their service (but I wonder if other makes don't fail as often hence don't need service?)

    We have Truma single axle and have had no problems in 4 years (famous last words as warranty is 5 yrs - make sure you get a long warranty)

    Make sure fitting is done to NCC COP 305 (or whatever may have superceded it as it does give specific instructions on cable sealing etc)

    Battery is probably the component that will let you down so suggest you also get a high capacity one as big as will fit your battery locker or at the very least, check any existing battery)

    CC have decided on latest criteria and recommendations (Banner/Numax but others will differ - warranty length is probably your best guide?)

    Truma XT series, I believe use brushless motors (should be more reliable and each reacts to the load on it's side improvong control? BUT I think they are at a higher price point?

    Hope this helps.

    Whatever you decide, enjoy as it should keep you going a lot longer with much less hassle!

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited January 2016 #3

    We have a Reich Eco line bought new in Dec 2010 and except for when our dealer changed it over to our new van, last july, and incorreclty wired it has never been a problem. 

    Reich did send engineer to our home to resolve the problem and did so within 20 mins.

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited January 2016 #4

    We have a Reich Eco line bought new in Dec 2010 and except for when our dealer changed it over to our new van, last july, and incorreclty wired it has never been a problem. 

    Reich did send engineer to our home to resolve the problem and did so within 20 mins.

    That's great service and Reich also seem a good make?

  • l200warrior
    l200warrior Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2016 #5

    I have a Powertouch fitted it myself, took it of my old van last year and fitted it to the  new one. Never had any problem with it. I have only ever used 70 amp hour battery's on a single axle and my brother in law has the same on his twin axle.

     

  • fur ball
    fur ball Forum Participant Posts: 155
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #6

    I read more reviews and opinions than I care to remember a couple of years ago when choosing a motormover, they all are acceptable to things going wrong it would seem. Probably due to where they sit getting covered in dirt and grime. One thing did seem to
    come up quite a bit was the auto engage functions on some of them and how unreliable and complicated if things went wrong with it to the point that some people actually had there's converted back to manual engage. Having no personal experience of them I can
    only hope and presume that what was posted was the truth. I can personally recommend the purpleline enduro 2, had it fitted by auto fix who do a deal on the caravan club membership offers, five years warranty and fitted at home and had no problems whatsoever.

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #7

    We have a Powrtouch classic, with manual engagement fitted to our Conqueror 480. We've been 'vanning for 25 years, and this is the 1st mover we've ever had. I can honestly say it's been absolutely brilliant, makes hitching up much easier. One thing to watch
    is they are quite heavy, and eat into the payload allowance. Would definitely recommend.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #8

    I've got a Powertouch Classic. The only criticism is that it is quite slow. My previous van had an early model Reich and that was brilliant.

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited January 2016 #9

    I can personally recommend the purpleline enduro 2, had it fitted by auto fix who do a deal on the caravan club membership offers, five years warranty and fitted at home and had no problems whatsoever.

    Same here, Enduro 2, cheap as chips and it hasn't missed a beat in four years. It has to work hard too, getting my van from my compound, out of sight down one side of the house, across the front lawn to my drive on the other side.

    I expected to have to fit a bigger battery, but the 5 year old, 80A ebay special is still doing the business.

    The mover is heavy though 42kg, and the cross bar is very low to the road. I guess you get what you pay for, but will be considering weight before price next time.

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited January 2016 #10

    Our Reich is able to bring/park our van weighing 1450kg easily enough tho to be honest the drive is pretty flat only needs to ride over short raised area of causeway.

    The rollers are groved metal and always grip the tyres again tho we havent used it thro snow but on few occassions with mud pitches.

    Not the lowest price but we can only comment on what we have experienced, tho if/when it is replaced I would look at Truma which seems well made.

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #11

    Reich.. Forget the rest

  • Bazzy
    Bazzy Forum Participant Posts: 30
    edited January 2016 #12

    Hi everyone, On our last van we had a Truma motor mover and it was no trouble for the short time we had it as the van got stolen at 20 months old, we did get the van back the thief only got 3 mile and the police got him. But the mover had been smashed of
    at one side thanks to a low wall in our garden plus other damage. It was repaired and a power touch mover fitted we had that for almost 8 years with no trouble. We bought a new van last year and had a new power touch fitted it is slow start witch is very handy
    it is also 3 speed that is very handy slow for hitching up and faster when required and then there is the 5 yaer warranty. Best part of £1000  Tho. But for us well worth it.

  • GMTRAVELLERS
    GMTRAVELLERS Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited February 2016 #13

    Hi 

    We have had two Powertouch Movers fitted to different caravans and both have been really good. The first one was manual and the latest one an auto. Both have been very good. 

     

  • facilitym
    facilitym Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited April 2016 #14

    Hi

    Just purchasing a new twin axle so my mind is focussed on motor movers.

    Has anyone considered using a camper trolley like the Caravan Motor Mover 2500 Twin Axle that Pro Tec offer? It work out about the same cost as Truma single axle installation.

    Or even the front Tow bar that Watling Engineering do? - about £300 or so fitted.

    Neither of these impact on the payload, that seems quite low on my Swift.