People who say just reverse it have never been to France/Spain/Italy etc. I'm a HGV driver, driving a 44T artic all day and am pretty good at reversing trailers, but some of those sites in Europe there's no way I could get the caravan on to some of those tight pitches without a mover
I'm a hgv class 1 driver too well a shunter driver and there is no chance of getting a twin axel on my drive when my street is just wide enough for 1 car
As I understand it, twin axel trailers steer from the front axel rather than behaving as a pair. Even when going around tight corners when being towed, you can see the rear trailing axel flex (which i believe has a tolerance by design) as it is pulled into line with the front. I would expect the rear tyres to wear slightly quicker because of this. We have a twin axel with a single axel mover, I find it OK, it could be better. I do agree, you cannot always "just reverse", there are other variables to take into account and pick the most sensible choice. I always like to reverse as my primary choice but, I'm not going to risk damaging my van if it is not sensible.
There's no difference between a fornt and rear axle on a caravan. They're manufactured exactly the same. There no design tolerance for steering. Particularly a problem with tri axle trailers, bearing and axle failure are more common on the rear
Brilliant video, thanks. We have a TA Swift Challenger and access to our drive is restricted by a narrow road so I can't use my car to get the caravan on or off, so we have exactly the same problem you have. Our road is a no through road which ends about 50 yards past our house. We don't get much traffic but whenever I try to get the caravan out someone turns up in their car (going to walk their dog) and people have NO patience, rather than waiting further back, they will often drive right up to the front of my car! Of course then they have to reverse back down the road to let us past! We have a Powrtouch 2wd mover fitted and I find myself doing exactly what you were doing, physically pushing the caravan to try and get it to turn. Previously we had a SA with movers and it was simple as it would spin on the spot. So I have been thinking about getting a 4wd mover (at the suggestion of SWMBO) and then I came across this video. Well, my mind is made up. All wheel drive is the way to go and I'm off to get a price from my local dealer. You are quite right, why struggle? Thanks again. KH
I’ve got the same caravan as you I bought it off Homestead and thought I’d try it out at Homestead for the weekend only had two motor movers after our weekend left it there for another 2 to be fitted
We got the sterling eccles trekker se which is basically the same as yours Graham, I fitted the automatic emove to the rear axle on ours. I did this because I figured I could wind up the jockey wheel to the max putting more pressure on the drive wheels. Everybody with just 2wd complains about the lack of turning circle. OK the front axle tyres still touch but the drag is greatly reduced, turning it is more like a single axle van. Also if you have 2wd on the front people get alot of wheel spin, so they lower the front down, but then you can't turn cos the jockey wheel smashes the side out of the a frame cover. This works for us just fine, ofcourse if I was a loaded RUclips man of mystery I'd have AWD but for the amount of times I'd use it I just couldn't justify it, but hey, horses for courses and each to their own. Keep up the good work 😁👍
100% agree, we had a Senator Louisianna with a single '2WD' mover, it slipped on the tyres and we had to shoulder barge/pull/push to help it. The 4WD is sublime and to watch it using 4WD on tarmac! It looks like it'll pull the tyres off! The whole 'just reverse it mate' argument? I want to tell people to eff-off when that crops up - I can reverse our caravan fine, the length of it just doesn't allow reversing when at home, the movers are used 99% of the time for the home part, then at site, just for the last positioning. Nice comparison with the Bailey - Swift videos. Thanks, Andy and Kim.
Hi Graham excellent video I was one who commented that ours isn't as good and have 4 powertouch ones. The rear is clearly not the 19mm gap so it needs adjusting and the fitter wired it wrong as backwards is forwards which makes it very difficult. Will be looking to get it sorted and adjust the rollers. Thanks James
Fully understand your issues with getting it into your driver there's always the one impatience so and so and not everyone can reverse quickly into a spot motor movers are brilliant
My ego titanium mover has the awd option that you mention, but for me it’s a mode where you link two single axle units together with a data cable so that they work together, when you programme into awd mode then it pulses one side of the van when turning the other to reduce stress on the tyres when pivoting, it also allows you to purchase a single axle unit and then purchase the other unit later if you find you need the extra turning options, cheaper as well as it does give you the option to purchase a single axle unit and then purchase the second if need be. For me I went straight for the awd mover, I have enough payload to afford this option.
You know what I would say without even saying it. Glad to see you spent the extra money and bought quad movers. Lovely van there Graham. Welcome to the Swift club.... AGAIN! 😄
Have to agree with you on the AWD being better than the 2WD. When we ordered the caravan we originally specked 2WD, the weekend before we were due to pick it up we went away with some friends in our old caravan and them in their twin axel, just watching him manhandle it on to the pitch with his 2WD made me realise in needed AWD, so I phoned the dealer there and then and told them to upgrade to AWD. Thanks for sharing. James
Thanks for watching. Good decision. We ended up with 2 movers as Bailey were doing a special offer of free movers. Had a problem with one, so range powrtouch. They looked into it and the movers were like 2 years old? God knows what a dealer was doing putting old movers on, Powrtouch said that they weren't the sort of item that sits on a shelf for 2 years. Obvs didn't use that dealer again...
Hi graham i think the tyres sb fine as the movers are still turning just in opposite directions.the wheels are not static therefore they shouldnt be rubbing on the tar as you think.
I’m ok going back but one site I’ve had to say there’s not enough length on he pitch for the van and the tow car as there was another van right in front. I don’t even think you’d have had room with the 2wd to get it swing round. Had to get them to move us.
Using my Powrtouch AWD motor mover the opposite wheels lock when trying to turning the caravan (just like yours) - they don't go in reverse. Not sure why that is as you'd have thought it would help with the manoeuvrability. When doing this on tarmac or other hard surface you think you're going to rip the tyres off the wheels they stretch so much. Best to do it in small doses (back and fwd) to give the tyres an easier time me thinks although other forums say this is expected and nothing to worry about.
We have only 2 on our buccaneer came with it from new plus aircon and plate upgrade to 2000kg still only gives us about 80kg I couldn't risk putting more weight on ..but agree in your case Graham on your drive you need them
I live on an estate road which not that wide and its a rat run for traffic all day ,to get my van on and off the drive you need motor movers as you can not get the angle or width to reverse on with nearly 24ft van and only just over 2ft wiggle room plus i have a back issue which do not help and i have fun with the rat runners who can not wait for me to clear the road they also help when siteing the van [ leveling etc ]
Update - 4wd Powrtouch Evolution Automatic movers fitted and tested. What a difference! Now I can get the caravan off and on my drive without pushing and shoving in one simple move. Its a whole lot easier, and the automatic is so much easier than the manual. Money well spent. Thanks again.
If you have a awd motor mover does the side jacking point have to be moved. We have the Cartagena and jack it up to put both alko locks on whenever it is stationary. We have looked at movers for a twin axel but they are placed where the side jack plate is.......
How do you jack up your van with the two movers? I've just purchased a new Bailey Pamplona but they had to put the spare in the under bed locker as the under van carrier can't be used. Got the same problem using the Alko Wheel locks.
Thanks for watching. Re jack, at the moment I'm winging it. I used to carry a trolley jack but got stolen. Now I'm waiting for E&P levelling to be fitted and I won't need a jack.
We've just bought a twin axle and added the AWD powertouch mover. I've been a bit worried that on attempted tight turns in to and on the gravel drive it feels like it wants to try and rip the tyres off. It does eventually go around but I worry the tyres will come off 🤣 Ever had this issue, or been worried by the bulging tyres?
Our caravan has four movers but does not work like you said. I was told by the dealer that it's because my batteries are located in the center of the caravan? can you put some light on this issue.
I did read somewhere that the feature was added to newer movers (I Dont know what year) on older models it was an option. If they are power touch movers, contact them, they can prove it tell by the serial numbers 👍🏻
Wonder why twin axled caravans aren't designed with one axle that winds up, like the tractor unit on an artic. You'd be able to spin it on a sixpence then?
id say it would add a lot of cost and likely more weight than 2 extra motors plus another thing to go wrong, i suspect with all considered if required 4 motors is a better option or cope with 2 motors.
Thanks for watching. As with everything, they do add weight. The AWD comes in at a hefty 60kg. The key is to get a caravan that has adequate payload and a car that can pull it. Our Swift challenger has a payload of over 400Kg. However, the unicorn twin axle, just 160kg, quite a difference...
@@CaravanVlogger thanks for your prompt response. We live on a shared drive with trees opposite which looks similar to your frontage. We're looking to upgrade to an 8ft van and our first twin axle. Would you recommend the 4 motor movers? I always try to reverse but as mentioned it's not always an option, especially at home.
@@footlong4769 Yes I would recommend 4 movers. Mainly because of the feature it give you to basically spin the caravan. This is a feature on the powrtouch ones, not sure about other makes. With 2 movers, I found the turning circle not good enough and I ended up pushing it. Having said that, you can find lots of forum posts where people are more than happy with just two movers on a twin axle. I've had both and 4 are much better. I guess the bottom line is budget and weight. If either, or both of those are an issue then 2 movers will still move the caravan. 4 is better than 2 and 2 is better than none...Graham
So going back to the caravan weight issue you highlighted recently I've done some sums Swift 650 user payload is 160kg -35kg x2 for mover -22kg approx for battery -32kg for A/C unit you have a usable payload of 36kg for all your other stuff !!!! and you can cope with that ? surly AWD is not worth it
The power touch double movers like these can move our MTPLM 1900kg double axel caravan up levelling ramps without any problems. They will drive it up and over the ramps if you really want to
Swift Challenger 650. Well, what an absolute mess on I had with only 2 movers! Made me feel like a right fool at times, but not more so than on inclined pitches. Honestly, wait till the driven wheels loose traction and just spin around, the van stops moving, in the rain of course, then the wife says, "why wont it move"? Now you become uncomfortably aware of many eyes on site which have become trained onto your ridiculous predicament. You feel like a damp twit. Argh!!! So absolutely yes, I'd always advise anyone to get 4 movers for twin axle vans...........and to hell with the expence!
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People who say just reverse it have never been to France/Spain/Italy etc. I'm a HGV driver, driving a 44T artic all day and am pretty good at reversing trailers, but some of those sites in Europe there's no way I could get the caravan on to some of those tight pitches without a mover
I'm a hgv class 1 driver too well a shunter driver and there is no chance of getting a twin axel on my drive when my street is just wide enough for 1 car
Exactly the same with us. If I tried the car would end up in some fairly substantial bushes
We only have a single mover on our twin axle and I would have to say I wish we had an all wheel drive mover, nice video 👍👍
Great VLOG Thanks = will be trying out the diagonal button press when I next turn around on our gravel drive👍
As I understand it, twin axel trailers steer from the front axel rather than behaving as a pair. Even when going around tight corners when being towed, you can see the rear trailing axel flex (which i believe has a tolerance by design) as it is pulled into line with the front. I would expect the rear tyres to wear slightly quicker because of this. We have a twin axel with a single axel mover, I find it OK, it could be better. I do agree, you cannot always "just reverse", there are other variables to take into account and pick the most sensible choice. I always like to reverse as my primary choice but, I'm not going to risk damaging my van if it is not sensible.
There's no difference between a fornt and rear axle on a caravan. They're manufactured exactly the same. There no design tolerance for steering. Particularly a problem with tri axle trailers, bearing and axle failure are more common on the rear
Brilliant video, thanks. We have a TA Swift Challenger and access to our drive is restricted by a narrow road so I can't use my car to get the caravan on or off, so we have exactly the same problem you have. Our road is a no through road which ends about 50 yards past our house. We don't get much traffic but whenever I try to get the caravan out someone turns up in their car (going to walk their dog) and people have NO patience, rather than waiting further back, they will often drive right up to the front of my car! Of course then they have to reverse back down the road to let us past!
We have a Powrtouch 2wd mover fitted and I find myself doing exactly what you were doing, physically pushing the caravan to try and get it to turn. Previously we had a SA with movers and it was simple as it would spin on the spot. So I have been thinking about getting a 4wd mover (at the suggestion of SWMBO) and then I came across this video.
Well, my mind is made up. All wheel drive is the way to go and I'm off to get a price from my local dealer. You are quite right, why struggle?
Thanks again.
KH
I’ve got the same caravan as you I bought it off Homestead and thought I’d try it out at Homestead for the weekend only had two motor movers after our weekend left it there for another 2 to be fitted
We got the sterling eccles trekker se which is basically the same as yours Graham, I fitted the automatic emove to the rear axle on ours. I did this because I figured I could wind up the jockey wheel to the max putting more pressure on the drive wheels. Everybody with just 2wd complains about the lack of turning circle. OK the front axle tyres still touch but the drag is greatly reduced, turning it is more like a single axle van. Also if you have 2wd on the front people get alot of wheel spin, so they lower the front down, but then you can't turn cos the jockey wheel smashes the side out of the a frame cover. This works for us just fine, ofcourse if I was a loaded RUclips man of mystery I'd have AWD but for the amount of times I'd use it I just couldn't justify it, but hey, horses for courses and each to their own.
Keep up the good work 😁👍
Thanks fir watching. Yes I agree. I could have lived with the 2 movers I used them for 3 years. Just for me it’s easier with AWD.
Brilliant, answered every question i have on x4 movers, thank you so much
You’re welcome, glad it helped 👍🏻
100% agree, we had a Senator Louisianna with a single '2WD' mover, it slipped on the tyres and we had to shoulder barge/pull/push to help it. The 4WD is sublime and to watch it using 4WD on tarmac! It looks like it'll pull the tyres off! The whole 'just reverse it mate' argument? I want to tell people to eff-off when that crops up - I can reverse our caravan fine, the length of it just doesn't allow reversing when at home, the movers are used 99% of the time for the home part, then at site, just for the last positioning. Nice comparison with the Bailey - Swift videos.
Thanks, Andy and Kim.
You can set most Movers to support twin axels and while turning the oposing wheel will turn into the other direction to increase turning.
Hi Graham excellent video I was one who commented that ours isn't as good and have 4 powertouch ones. The rear is clearly not the 19mm gap so it needs adjusting and the fitter wired it wrong as backwards is forwards which makes it very difficult. Will be looking to get it sorted and adjust the rollers. Thanks James
Thanks for watching. Hopefully you’ll get it sorted soon. If it’s a powrtouch I found their technical support really good 👍🏻
@@CaravanVlogger thanks should have said really good video. Am interested to know if ours has the AWD enhancements
Fully understand your issues with getting it into your driver there's always the one impatience so and so and not everyone can reverse quickly into a spot motor movers are brilliant
Very good video answering my questions
My ego titanium mover has the awd option that you mention, but for me it’s a mode where you link two single axle units together with a data cable so that they work together, when you programme into awd mode then it pulses one side of the van when turning the other to reduce stress on the tyres when pivoting, it also allows you to purchase a single axle unit and then purchase the other unit later if you find you need the extra turning options, cheaper as well as it does give you the option to purchase a single axle unit and then purchase the second if need be.
For me I went straight for the awd mover, I have enough payload to afford this option.
You know what I would say without even saying it. Glad to see you spent the extra money and bought quad movers. Lovely van there Graham. Welcome to the Swift club.... AGAIN! 😄
Have to agree with you on the AWD being better than the 2WD. When we ordered the caravan we originally specked 2WD, the weekend before we were due to pick it up we went away with some friends in our old caravan and them in their twin axel, just watching him manhandle it on to the pitch with his 2WD made me realise in needed AWD, so I phoned the dealer there and then and told them to upgrade to AWD. Thanks for sharing. James
Thanks for watching. Good decision. We ended up with 2 movers as Bailey were doing a special offer of free movers. Had a problem with one, so range powrtouch. They looked into it and the movers were like 2 years old? God knows what a dealer was doing putting old movers on, Powrtouch said that they weren't the sort of item that sits on a shelf for 2 years. Obvs didn't use that dealer again...
@@CaravanVlogger wonder if they had taken them of another caravan, not good service. Makes you wonder what else they have done.
Hi graham i think the tyres sb fine as the movers are still turning just in opposite directions.the wheels are not static therefore they shouldnt be rubbing on the tar as you think.
I’m ok going back but one site I’ve had to say there’s not enough length on he pitch for the van and the tow car as there was another van right in front. I don’t even think you’d have had room with the 2wd to get it swing round. Had to get them to move us.
Using my Powrtouch AWD motor mover the opposite wheels lock when trying to turning the caravan (just like yours) - they don't go in reverse. Not sure why that is as you'd have thought it would help with the manoeuvrability. When doing this on tarmac or other hard surface you think you're going to rip the tyres off the wheels they stretch so much. Best to do it in small doses (back and fwd) to give the tyres an easier time me thinks although other forums say this is expected and nothing to worry about.
Brilliant video, very well explained. Thank you
Thanks for watching 👍🏻
We have only 2 on our buccaneer came with it from new plus aircon and plate upgrade to 2000kg still only gives us about 80kg I couldn't risk putting more weight on ..but agree in your case Graham on your drive you need them
I live on an estate road which not that wide and its a rat run for traffic all day ,to get my van on and off the drive you need motor movers as you can not get the angle or width to reverse on with nearly 24ft van and only just over 2ft wiggle room plus i have a back issue which do not help and i have fun with the rat runners who can not wait for me to clear the road they also help when siteing the van [ leveling etc ]
Update - 4wd Powrtouch Evolution Automatic movers fitted and tested. What a difference! Now I can get the caravan off and on my drive without pushing and shoving in one simple move. Its a whole lot easier, and the automatic is so much easier than the manual. Money well spent. Thanks again.
Glad it worked out well for you. Automatic sounds fun 🤩
I have a single axle and my motor movers work fine. Its definitely a first World problem!
Happy camping 🏕
If you have a awd motor mover does the side jacking point have to be moved. We have the Cartagena and jack it up to put both alko locks on whenever it is stationary. We have looked at movers for a twin axel but they are placed where the side jack plate is.......
Thanks for watching. I don’t know, our Cartagena only had two movers, never got around to fitting AWD
Hello there. Pwrtouch 4wd system ordered and being fitted by a dealer later this month....
Thanks for watching. The different is amazing on a twin axle. Just makes it so much more movable.
How do you jack up your van with the two movers? I've just purchased a new Bailey Pamplona but they had to put the spare in the under bed locker as the under van carrier can't be used. Got the same problem using the Alko Wheel locks.
Thanks for watching. Re jack, at the moment I'm winging it. I used to carry a trolley jack but got stolen. Now I'm waiting for E&P levelling to be fitted and I won't need a jack.
We've just bought a twin axle and added the AWD powertouch mover. I've been a bit worried that on attempted tight turns in to and on the gravel drive it feels like it wants to try and rip the tyres off. It does eventually go around but I worry the tyres will come off 🤣
Ever had this issue, or been worried by the bulging tyres?
Thanks for watching. Yes! I have the same worry 🤣 They’ve never been damaged though. I sometimes ease off if my nerves get the better of me
Graham
@@CaravanVlogger Thanks Graham, that's put my mind at rest 👍🏻
Our caravan has four movers but does not work like you said. I was told by the dealer that it's because my batteries are located in the center of the caravan? can you put some light on this issue.
I did read somewhere that the feature was added to newer movers (I Dont know what year) on older models it was an option.
If they are power touch movers, contact them, they can prove it tell by the serial numbers 👍🏻
@@CaravanVlogger Hi, Thank you for the information. I agree with you, I will have to contact them to hopefully resolve this matter.
Cheers :)
Does parking drawbar in reduce the theft risk also? Can't see the boys turning it around by hand.
Have you tried a front Towbar .? That would be interesting as they cost approximately £150. Give it a review
Wonder why twin axled caravans aren't designed with one axle that winds up, like the tractor unit on an artic.
You'd be able to spin it on a sixpence then?
id say it would add a lot of cost and likely more weight than 2 extra motors plus another thing to go wrong, i suspect with all considered if required 4 motors is a better option or cope with 2 motors.
If you have a large twin axle, are the AWD movers going to add too much weight?
Thanks for watching. As with everything, they do add weight. The AWD comes in at a hefty 60kg. The key is to get a caravan that has adequate payload and a car that can pull it. Our Swift challenger has a payload of over 400Kg. However, the unicorn twin axle, just 160kg, quite a difference...
@@CaravanVlogger thanks for your prompt response. We live on a shared drive with trees opposite which looks similar to your frontage. We're looking to upgrade to an 8ft van and our first twin axle. Would you recommend the 4 motor movers? I always try to reverse but as mentioned it's not always an option, especially at home.
@@footlong4769 Yes I would recommend 4 movers. Mainly because of the feature it give you to basically spin the caravan. This is a feature on the powrtouch ones, not sure about other makes. With 2 movers, I found the turning circle not good enough and I ended up pushing it. Having said that, you can find lots of forum posts where people are more than happy with just two movers on a twin axle. I've had both and 4 are much better. I guess the bottom line is budget and weight. If either, or both of those are an issue then 2 movers will still move the caravan. 4 is better than 2 and 2 is better than none...Graham
Much better with 4 movers Graham, turns with ease. Did you have to get a bigger battery?
Cheers, Martin
Thanks for watching. TBH I don’t know if it was a bigger battery, the dealer supplied it.
So going back to the caravan weight issue you highlighted recently I've done some sums Swift 650 user payload is 160kg -35kg x2 for mover -22kg approx for battery -32kg for A/C unit you have a usable payload of 36kg for all your other stuff !!!! and you can cope with that ? surly AWD is not worth it
I’ve had the weight plate upgraded. 36kg wouldn’t be enough for my pants 🤔 Thanks for watching 👍🏻
Had same problem with payload but paid £60 to uplate , u only get a sticker but increased payload to 2000 kg all dependant on your towing vehicle
@@CaravanVlogger The 36kg for your pants was that when using a single or before changing to double, and has your problem now been sorted? ;-)
Morning can you movers put the caravan onto leveling ramps can you show in video thanks
The power touch double movers like these can move our MTPLM 1900kg double axel caravan up levelling ramps without any problems. They will drive it up and over the ramps if you really want to
See the 2 motor movers are they single axle ones
LOL, He said presently how impatient some people are. lol
Swift Challenger 650.
Well, what an absolute mess on I had with only 2 movers! Made me feel like a right fool at times, but not more so than on inclined pitches. Honestly, wait till the driven wheels loose traction and just spin around, the van stops moving, in the rain of course, then the wife says, "why wont it move"? Now you become uncomfortably aware of many eyes on site which have become trained onto your ridiculous predicament. You feel like a damp twit. Argh!!!
So absolutely yes, I'd always advise anyone to get 4 movers for twin axle vans...........and to hell with the expence!
We only need 2 movers, but we only have a single axle LOL
Show off :-) Thanks for watching...
Just buy the longest heaviest single axle. Sorted. 😂
Thanks for watching. Dear Lord that’ll be an Adria then 😱😱😇