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quoteThere really is plenty of love for the motor mover from caravanners.
Precision parking, saving the clutch and making caravanning a breeze for older caravanners or those with mobility issues – the list goes on as to why people think a motor mover is an essential piece of caravanning kit.
The mover has been described as a “life saver”, a “godsend” as well as a source of entertainment from supporters, in our latest community poll.
You responded in your droves when we asked if you have a motor mover and thought it was an essential piece of equipment.
We received a massive 510 votes and the results showed overwhelming support for the motor mover, with 90 per cent saying they owned one and agreeing that they were an absolute necessity.
Only 34 people (7%) said they could live without one and just three per cent were thinking about one.
John Reid said at 78 “it’s a necessity, not an option” and Tim Peacock agreed.
“We already have a small caravan but now find, due to age, we struggle to push the van off and on our driveway. A must for the more MATURE caravanners.” Tim added.
Many of you commented that not only does it take the strain out of parking on a variety of terrains, as well as the stress out of the relationship, it also provides a good source of entertainment for many onlookers!
Ian Manning said: “It still intrigues onlookers to see it in action. Also seriously reduces wear and tear on car clutch putting it away at home and generally. Marvellous piece of kit!”
And Andrew Smith said: “When using them at home I often have people videoing or taking photos of this caravan, 7.25metres long, turning and moving on its own axles and either being moved up to the tow car or being put away in its place on our driveway as if by magic.”
Many others also found the mover helps to reduce the strain on the car clutch and would rather invest in motor mover than pay for those clutch repairs.
“With a sloping driveway I have two options in getting our folding camper into its storage spot – motor mover or tricky dogleg uphill reversing manoeuvre,” said Dave. “I can manage the latter but as the smoke from the front of my car showed, the clutch would not last long. I checked and the mover was cheaper than a new clutch and has taken the stress out of arriving back from trips. Rarely use it on site though.”
Sue Wiltshire finds the motor mover to be “an absolute life saver.”
“I have one and wouldn’t be without it. I travel with my caravan by myself and my dogs. I would never be able to move the caravan either off or back on to my drive without it, as I have to park across the front of the house. It’s an absolute life saver.”
Precision parking and the minor movements needed to the get axle wheel lock in place is another key factor for loving the motor mover.
Andy Culley commented: “A motor mover allows very precise control of your valuable asset. I have a 90 degree uphill turn to make in order to park my caravan alongside my house. It’s not possible to leave it hitched whilst carrying out that manoeuvre. So in my case it’s an essential item. It also allows similar control on campsites and makes aligning things up for my Al-Ko wheel lock a doddle.”
And John Knox agreed: “They are essential for caravanners who are unable to manoeuvre the ’van by hand, and not all sites allow enough room to use the car to push the caravan into the allocated pitch. A mover allows precision siting, without the need of the Hulk’s muscles!”
Tina Daniels has a twin axle caravan finds her mover to be a “god send” when towing on her own. “Long live the mover!” she added.
And some of you admit to having a bit of fun with your mover. Here’s what Garry had to say:
“I would not be without my mover, just for the convenience of manoeuvring into the tight space on my drive,” he said. “Also, the mover is great fun. Be honest – it’s a big boy’s remote control toy car!”
Motor movers are designed to make life that little bit easier and they certainly seem to be doing just that for many of you. Thanks for sharing your views with us – we really enjoyed reading them.
And don’t forget to read our Gear Guide on motor movers if you’re one of the three per cent thinking about buying one!
My mover came part of my package this year when purchasing a new Crusader, I tried moving it without the mover, and why bother. Movers are the way forward and if they are part of the Caravan from the factory then they will be less costly.
Caravans seem to be getting lighter so they will come up with something to way up the extra weight.
We love our mover especially when getting the lateral levelling right. However we did have a problem with it at first – its obviously really a caravanning man toy and husband was getting so grumpy with it one day when it just would do what he wanted so I strolled over to have a little look only to find that the main cause of his issues were being caused because he had the controls the wrong way round – Yes I know its got a diagram of a caravan on it. I laughed till I cried…..
I am a now long retired trucker of some 45 years driving artics and drawbars on multi drop work – so reversing etc; no problem and have often gone to the aid of lesser experienced members. Upon retirement I fitted my own mover and have since twice transferred it.
I find this device invaluable for precise infinite location of through the wheel locking and, levelling on nicely kept but soft grass pitches, rather than damaging the site.
Tip.- I now use a few short lengths of decking board as ‘step ups’ as a better method than the yellow ramp type which cause the van to often swing round.
I do not advocate fitting as standard on new vans – bumping up prices even further, such things should be left to choice- with exception of Tyron banďs which should be- if not already.
I have never had a mover in 30+ years carjacking but think they’re great. I do all my manoeuvring by careful planning and reversing but just on the odd occasion wished we had one. As vans get heavier (why?) I am more tempted but remember the extra weight is lost from your loading margin.
Shaun sounds like the sort of know it all that I would hate to be pitched next to. I had an HGV for 37 years and can reverse my caravan and trailer if I need to but why struggle when you don’t need to. I assume that Shaun doesn’t use mains hook up or on board heating either. Just like the good old days eh!
I bought my caravan new in 2000 and had a mover fitted in the same year. Both the van and the mover are still working well. I would doubt that I would still be caravanning at my age (79) if I did not have the mover, it’s a question of being ‘strong’ enough to be doing the manual manoeuvring of hitching and unhitching and pushing the caravan into its home parking spot when reversing it is impossible. I have caravanned for 42 years and do not doubt my reversing skills.
I feel that the mover is an essential part of the modern caravan and should be fitted as standard when new
Movers are great until you need them to help levelling. My last 2 birth had one installed but anything more than a shuffle on the level and you find yourself hooking the car back up, which then gets embarrassing. Cars with manual transmission may risk clutch problems but automatics prevent that problem. As a very seasoned caravanner i’d say i’m swung each way but now with a 2024 twin axle needing 2 movers…£2000 isn’t value for money.
Read the comment Shaun made about reversing. Think you’re making the very incorrect assumption that caravan owners don’t know how to reverse. With barely 2″ either side of my drive I’d love to see you reverse down there hooked up, not to mention the manoeuvring at the bottom to put it to one side (which will not accommodate the length of a van and car).
So Shaun – horses for course. If you don’t need one – fine. There are those of us who find them essential (not because of our driving skills)
REF Shaun Coates comment,i have been reversing caravans,40ft trailers on the back of my artic for the last 45yrs, I have a motor mover as due to a disability and the way i have to park our van at home (ie in gate forward)i think they are a brilliant invention so it might be a good idea if maybe some people should put there brain into reverse gear before they put their typing into gear,,im a professional driver and have the licence to prove it.
there is always someone who has to belittle those who might in their opinion not possess the “required” skills to handle a caravan….. I wonder who fits the bill in this discussion?
We have a motor mover so we can park our van onto our drive forwards making harder to steal without it we couldmt do that as our road is narrow and full of parked cars .
A merry Christmas and a happy new year and safe caravaning
Thanks Peter and hope you have a lovely Christmas too 🙂
All else aside it is a crucial safety aide where I live, the road is totally manic I have had people drive up curbs to get around me rather than wait a minute or two to allow me to maneuver my caravan up the drive. Now they wait, I park the 4X4 20 feet down the road and use its shelter to take the van now revengefully at my own pace up the drive! No regrets and absolutely no stress.
I think they’re a dreadful invention. It would be far better if caravan owners learnt how to reverse them before being allowed out on the road.
I’m a caravan owner, I love it and I know how how to reverse it!
Thanks for your comments Shaun. Everyone’s different and many of our readers do find the mover a great help, particularly if they have mobility issues, or have hilly driveways, but they’re definitely not for everyone.
Following recovery from a heart attack I didn’t find it so easy to manhandle the caravan into it’s storage position at the side of the house. Because of this drawback we were quite a few years where the caravan went un-used with consequent great limitations on our holidays and outings.
DIY fitting of a Powrtouch Classic and everything came back on line! Piece of cake to get the van out, prepare for the off …and return to base after a trip. Absolute Godsend …..go get one if you are lacking.
Whilst I only have a small van (Avondale passion 380/2). I have a very narrow drive and without a mover would undoubtedly damage the sides. It’s an absolute essential for me.
Additionally, after breaking down in France we were dropped off at a campsite just in front of the pitch. Without a mover I’d have had great difficulty in positioning it on the allocated spot.
Wouldn’t be without one again.
We have an uphill slope on the road and another slope up into the garden. The lane we live in is also very narrow. With a mover we can unhitch and have the caravan in the garden in a couple of minutes. Without, we would be holding the traffic up for much longer, which the leads to abuse from impatient drivers. Wouldn’t be without the mover
When I was taking my caravan in for a service my 4 year old powrtouch had konked out. When trying to move said caravan with a friend I did my back in 6 months later it still isn’t right the mover was repaired under warranty, pity my back couldn’t have been. Thank goodness for my motorhome so much easier. They are a godsend but a pain in the butt to operate(powrtouch) that is.
i agree with what you said i never had one till last yr but i love it couldn,t do with out it
Your pie chart percentages come to over 100%. To be fair you do state 7% in the text but 9% in the chart. I minor point but it made me chuckle.
As for the Motor Mover, yes, I would not like to be without mine for sure. I don’t use it every time but when I do it’s a godsend.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Thanks John – well spotted! We’re working on changing that now. Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
Being mature and slighty disabled couldnt do without our motor mover best thing we got for our van,as we have to park it in forwards for security reasons and there is no way would we be able to push it.
In agree with every thing said about motor movers couldn’t do without mine