A moving experience??

[thursdays child]

Hi all,patience required for this as I know it is a frequently discussed subject BUT for us it is specific.advice we need.
We have a Fleetwood Heritage 640es 2003 model T/A. Here we go:- have decided a motor mover is next on the purchase list.The mover will only be required for situations where it is impossible to site the van with the Jeep attached as HIMSELF is ex artic driver with 40years experience. SOOOO do we really need a mover for all 4 wheels or will a 2 wheel drive be acceptable.There are 2 reasons for us not really wanted 4 wheel drive,first the cost and secondly I have read it scrubs the tyres. What is your view?
Thursdays Child

 

[Dustydog]

Hi TC
Wondered where you had been. Now a lady with a brand new hip should be able to do all that Supergirl stuff without the aid of a mover!

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Our Wyoming is similar and I confess we had a two wheel, not four wheel , mover fitted from new. Whilst I was confident I could stick the caravan anywhere using the car the reality is different.
Take some of the lovely sea view sites, Admair Point, Ullapool, or Scourie Sutherland. Without the mover you cannot physically push the caravan forward to enjoy the views. Then of course you need to pull it out to hitch up.
IMO a mover should be a standard fitment on a TA.

We decided against the four wheel drive, partly on cost, erosion of our weight limit for baggage, the extra cost and hassle of moving the spare wheel and its carrier ( this can upset the natural balance of the caravan) , centre of gravity or mass etc, plus we needed to move some of the waste plumbing.

The Powrtouch Twin suited our needs perfectly. It is heavy duty, will move upto 1700kgs mtplm, and works very well on two wheels only. There are other makes available. FIL has Truma which has also been very reliable.

Have a chat with Powrtouch on the phone. They are very helpful.
I always bags the hand controller. Big boys toys etc.

 

[Jennifer2]

I would agree with Dusty. We have a twin axle Sterling MTPLM 1900kg and have a Truma TE fitted. Ideal for siting the van, and copes with getting it off our road and into position hitch first on our 1 in 10 drive.

 

[thursdays child]

Dustydog,what a sweet little puppy you are to remember my bionic hip!! I have still got a bit of a stutter if I dont use my stick at times,but little or no pain.
Thanks to you and Jennifer for the advice and experiences.We are at this very moment "en France" but when we return home in a couple of weeks the mover will be actioned soonest. You are quite right about being able to position to best advantage and I am quite worn out with lifting 1800kg up in the air to turn it round for a better view!! However, I expect I will be the one who has to stand and watch while HIMSELF plays with the remotes.Only fair really because he has to reverse and position now!
Thanx again.
TC

 

[ValA.]

I caused stirs on all our campsites this year, by handling the motor mover myself!!!! I actually had a crowd of French and Dutch men watching me - and shouting encouragement!
Ladies, take over the remote control, and prove how we can site the caravan EXACTLY where we want, 'right back in the corner, front facing this way, just enough room for the washing line, table over there, car parked here.............!' It cut out all the arguments, such as 'it will be difficult to get it so far back........' or 'it won't go under that tree.........' or 'I think it would be better facing this way for the sun........'.!!!!!!
Getting it just right took seconds, and OH's face was a picture. In fact on the second site he positively encouraged me to take over, because whilst I was 'driving' he could go off and fill the aquaroll, and find the hook-up bollard, etc, as well as make friends with all our neighbours who came out to watch!