CARAVAN MOVER

[Denise Arundel]

I am looking to replace a Reich mover, I have had this one on my Swift Challenger 540 for 3 years. I did have it moved from an Abbey GTS 416 and it was on that for 3 years also. Not sure if it is just getting old!! I am about to purchase a new Swift Challenger 580 Dealer special this new van weighs approx 1500kgs.

Can anyone recommend a mover as I do not want to replace it with another Reich as this seems to struggle on any incline and we have to lightly push the caravan to help it along.

I understand that the dealers will only recommend the ones that they fit and supply themselves but I know you can have the suppliers come out and fit them for you.
Any feedack will be greatly apprecited as I think that recommendations go along way when you are purchasing things like a mover.
David

 

[Gagakev]

Hi David, I asked the same quetion a couple of weeks ago in this section
Motor Mover's--- Again--- Sorry Folks
Its dropped down to page two have alook and see what you think
Kev

 

[RayS]

Hello David, I guess that movers must be about the biggest single topic on this forum, and deservedly so, since they have enabled many of us no longer in the first flush of youth to continue caravanning without risk of hernia or worse.
You will doubtless hear good and bad of any and all the movers available.
I have no doubt there are other good movers out there, but I have had Powrtouch on vans for nearly 10 years - all the vans about 1500kg and while I have had minor problems the service has been excellent,
If possible have the mover fitted in front of the van axle; fitting to the rear means all the works get 'pressure washed' by road water from the van wheels when towing and it is very difficult to get the works completely waterproofed. If you look at Powrtouch, go for the HD model, and don't bother with the automatic engagement units and/ or the crossbar shaft unless you really need them. They add to weight and complexity - keep it simple.
They are a reasonably simple DIY job if you are moderately handy - this not only saves money but your also know exactly where the connections and cables are. I think a whole number of reproted problems stem from the fact people fit them and forget them - they need to be cleaned and greased at least once a year. The other major problem is poor electical connections - each motor can take up to 40 amps, so it is essential that cables are sufficiently hightly rated and that connections are sound and tight and stay that way.

 

[chrisbee1]

Can anyone tell me how much the ground clearance is reduced by the fitting if a powrtouch mover? I have a to go over 2 speed cushions on my way out to the main road

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Chris,
I met John Carver whilst he was desiging the first caravan mover. Part of his motivation for designing it was that he was getting older and had trouble moving a caravan by hand to position it so to read of how others are now finding they can continue with their hobby vindicates his perspective. He was adamant that the design should clear at least 4 inch kerb. I also know that the very first pre-production mover is still working on a caravan in Derbyshire.
The ground clearance will depend on the chassis, suspension and wheels fited to your caravan, so I cant give you a specific answer, however there are regulations that define the height and profile of speed humps, and if my memory serves me correctly there are also guidelines on the clearance angle surounding wheels, and I am sure the mover manufactueres are aware of them and manufacture accordingly. For certanty you will need to check the varius manufactures web sites for the dimentions and clearances.

 

[chrisbee1]

Thanks Prof. When my local council built the speed bumps some years ago they constructed the “up ramp” from block paving. This has now sunk which effectively means you have to drive up a bump the height of a kerb to mount the cushion. Despite repeated requests no remedial work has been carried out. I am aware that I could hold them liable for any damage incurred to a mover but would rather not go down that path.

 

[xtrailman]

I am looking to replace a Reich mover, I have had this one on my Swift Challenger 540 for 3 years. I did have it moved from an Abbey GTS 416 and it was on that for 3 years also. Not sure if it is just getting old!! I am about to purchase a new Swift Challenger 580 Dealer special this new van weighs approx 1500kgs.

Can anyone recommend a mover as I do not want to replace it with another Reich as this seems to struggle on any incline and we have to lightly push the caravan to help it along.

I understand that the dealers will only recommend the ones that they fit and supply themselves but I know you can have the suppliers come out and fit them for you.
Any feedack will be greatly apprecited as I think that recommendations go along way when you are purchasing things like a mover.
David

powetouch HD, will move a 1500kg up a 25% gradient. BUT its slow, due to an extra reduction gear.

Thats what i will buy if my transferred Reich does not perform.

 

[HenryB1]

We are on our 2nd Powertouch mover. The first was used on 2 caravans and the dealer offered to move it to our Pegasus when we bought it 12 months ago. As the old one was 10 years old I did not want to go down that route and dealer finally agreed to fit a new mover as part of the deal. He told me the only mover they would recommend was the Powertouch in view of its 5 year guarantee and service. Don't go for the electric engagement, just one more thing that could go wrong. As for ground clearance we have towed with 3 vans now and probably have the steepest roads humps in UK in our village. Take them slowly and you won't have a problem.

 

[Dustydog]

Hello Chris,
I met John Carver whilst he was desiging the first caravan mover. Part of his motivation for designing it was that he was getting older and had trouble moving a caravan by hand to position it so to read of how others are now finding they can continue with their hobby vindicates his perspective. He was adamant that the design should clear at least 4 inch kerb. I also know that the very first pre-production mover is still working on a caravan in Derbyshire.
The ground clearance will depend on the chassis, suspension and wheels fited to your caravan, so I cant give you a specific answer, however there are regulations that define the height and profile of speed humps, and if my memory serves me correctly there are also guidelines on the clearance angle surounding wheels, and I am sure the mover manufactueres are aware of them and manufacture accordingly. For certanty you will need to check the varius manufactures web sites for the dimentions and clearances.

Hi John
I was curious to read more about John Carver. All I can get is the football manager and other JCs but not the one you met.
It seems a shame that the inventor of one of the most important caravan accessories doesn't get a mention on Wikipedia.
Maybe with your knowledge this situation could be remedied?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Dusty,

For anyone who has been involved with UK caravans over the last 40 years, they will definitely come across Carver products. In the same way that Hoover became synonymous as meaning vacuum cleaner so "Carver" is synonymous with caravan space heaters - but that is only a small part of the story.

From my contact with the Carver business and family I learned a lot about them. In 1976 I was given a book called 200 Years of Carvers Walsall, and later a second edition from 2002 titled Seven Generations o success both private publications. They detail the development of the business over the years.

History shows that Carvers have been running businesses and have traded continuously since at least 1776, the same year that the USA was formed. The company has been around in various guises all with the name Carver in the title and all based within Walsall’s boundaries.

Obviously the John Carver in your question was not around then, and sadly he's not around now having died in 2000. He was actually christened Leonard John Carver, but chose to be known by his middle name. His business card actually was L.John Carver. He had a brother Jos (Joseph) who jointly ran the company who sadly died in 1990. The family tradition is continued with both John & Jos’s eldest as directors of the corporate group Carver PLC.

John was not a flamboyant person instead as Technical Director he worked more in the background. Jos (Managing Director) was more of the showman and a canny salesman.

As far as I can tell the only mention of L John Carver I could find is in relation to patents he took out.

Apart from the caravan mover LJC was significantly involved in the design decisions and engineering solutions for the following;

- Air frame for the Stirling bombers
- The rolled “W” used as logo for Wolsely cars
- Industrial clamping systems (Rack Clamp and derivatives)
- Lost wax shell casting process used by Rolls Royce for gas
turbine blades
- Numerically controlled pipe benders used by Ford and
others for car seat production
- Industrial ultrasonic cleaners.
- Cascade One with the dual vapour phase heat pipe
- Crystal water systems
- Fanmaster

There were of course many unsuccessful or unfinished projects

I am reluctant to provide more information, as I am not the families or businesses spokeperson and the family may not appreciate personal recollections being made available on a public forum.

If you want more then I feel I would need to clear it with the family.

 

[Dustydog]

John
Most informative and thankyou. Truma no doubt bought rights to the heaters and movers?
No need to trouble the family.
I had a Wolsely 6/110 years ago with the illuminated grille badge. Now I know!!