BRUTE FORCE NEEDED

[bazpix]

On a recent trip my old motor mover gave up the ghost, which was not too much of a problem until I got home and replaced my Lunar Quasar in its usual position on a downhill slope having to use the handbrake every meter or so.
Problem is getting the beast out of there and off to the local dealer who is to fit a brand new one. I live in a situation where hefty neighbours are in very short supply!
Does anyone know if there is a method by which I can tow the caravan from the rear for ten metres or so using my tow car. Will a tow rope to the rear hand grabs do damage. I would be grateful for any thoughts from the millions of experts out there!

 

[chrisn7]

Don't use the grab handles! I once saw a bloke pull the handle and bits of the van clean off, although this was at the front. I have just resealed by own rear handles and they are retained with just 2" screws, (not bolted) yet had worked loose even through the sealant. I wouldn't risk the ends of the chassis either, as its not a straight pull on these. I suspect the safest would be a single loop round the hitch to both ends of the axle, with someone to guide on then upside via the rear grabs

 

[Billwizzer]

Could you fix a line to each corner steady and gently does it 'Depends on ground clearance and rear valence skirt. Empty caravan if poss every little helps.

 

[camel]

Don't use the grab handles, don't go round the axle,, if it was me I would look at the chassis and pass a tow rope through the chassis, but be careful that you don't catch the body work when you start to do your tow,

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The safest place would be the axle as the chassis can be distorted when stressed incorrectly. The motor mover effectively drives the axle in any case, so no change there.

 

[camel]

WC,
When I said the chassis I mean a straight pull from both side of the chassis with a spreader to spread the pull, personally I think a pull on the axle is unless you know what you are doing could end up with the caravan going down that little back road called the M5 sideways, 🙂

 

[Parksy]

I don't have a motor mover so apologies if my suggestion is rubbish, but wouldn't it be possible to buy a replacement motor mover and have it fitted while the caravan is in its present position?A mobile caravan engineer should be able to do the job unless you can fit the motor mover yourself. 🙂

 

[camel]

10/10 what a good solution to the problem 🙂

 

[Martin24]

Parkway's suggestion would probably be quite a bit cheaper too. 🙂

 

[Thingy]

How about popping down to the nearest tool hire and hire a handwinch, anchoring it to the towball of your car, if the caravan is rear end on, pass the cable under the caravan to the jockey wheel shaft and attach there.

You could also do it with a sturdy rope passed from back to front and someone gently applying leverage to steer the caravan back up the slope as the car pulls.
Certainly do not use the handles, you will pull them off and I would avoid the axle too as the others have said.

Ebay item here

 

[robf1234]

hi i see you are from Lancashire ,,there is a guy near southport that fits them on the drive ,,or he did a couple of years back,,, think he lived in banks area ,,hope this helps ,,rob
i think this is him ?
http://www.teales2ucaravanservices.co.uk/services/4589086787

 

[bazpix]

Many thanks for all your suggestions. As one of you mentioned I will get my new mover fitted "en situ" though I have already ordered it from my local dealer who does not do mobile jobs, perhaps he will let me buy the mover as a separate item & I will find an engineer to fit it.
Simple really, again my thanks to you all for your ideas, they were very much appreciated

 

[otherclive]

Do you know any off roaders they always have winches on their cars.

 

[Hutch]

Clive, the problem is still where to hitch the tow ropes too. I will still say long hitch to the tow hitch a loop around the axcle and onto a tow car, and a GENTLE pull up hill. Dont pull from the back or the the stays. They are not held in by much.
Hutch.