Expensive French trip, time to own up

[woodsieboy]

So we arrived at our site,turned into the field for our pitch, horrible crunching noise, school boy error and the mover on the offside is grounded on a rock,which I didn't see.

So can't go forward or back with the car, unhitched and mover is rammed solid on offside wheel, moved the nearside onto the tyre and proceeded to our pitch which was 150 yards on the mover.

Next problem won't be able to tow the caravan home as mover absolutely jammed on offside wheel

Closer examination show the actuaution bar is bent, and the mover mechanism on the offside is 'damaged'

So decide to remove the cross actuation bar and try each side individually, still no good, so had to remove the whole lot from under the van, left only the cables and box inside the van,and junked all the metal bits.

Pushed the van onto the pitch with the help of other Brits and set up as usual, phoned back to UK and arranged for new mover to be fitted on our return, needless to say they can't use the existing box and handset, claasic case of put it down to experience, only consolstion the old mover had started to make funny groaning noises the last couple of times it was used, so was probably due for an upgrade

 

[borderbilly]

I was going to ask you for the lottery numbers this weekend as well, will give it a miss! At least no one was hurt, only plastic and metal which is replaceable.

 

[otherclive]

An unfortunate accident but glad that you managed to resolve it and get on to your pitch and start your holiday.

 

[IanB1485]

Had the same happen to me halfway out of shrewsbury folk festival , with a big queue behind me ,I jacked it up and loosened the u bolts a tad and moved it out of the way of the wheel with a lump hammer. The main bar was bent. Once home I reset the roller to the correct distance and packed the main bar to accommodate for the slight upward bend, movers now work OK , and lesson learned

 

[rich0805]

Had the same happen to me halfway out of shrewsbury folk festival , with a big queue behind me ,I jacked it up and loosened the u bolts a tad and moved it out of the way of the wheel with a lump hammer. The main bar was bent. Once home I reset the roller to the correct distance and packed the main bar to accommodate for the slight upward bend, movers now work OK , and lesson learned

I'm at Shrewsbury now. I shall be very careful leaving.

 

[IanB1485]

@rich0805 Enjoy the festival, We gave it miss this year as we went to Cropredy festival, will be going next year though. They will make you travel through campsite 2 along a long track to an exit , watch out for the deep tracks , left by the tractors and occasional deep potholes (yes potholes in a field!!)

 

[rich0805]

@rich0805 Enjoy the festival, We gave it miss this year as we went to Cropredy festival, will be going next year though. They will make you travel through campsite 2 along a long track to an exit , watch out for the deep tracks , left by the tractors and occasional deep potholes (yes potholes in a field!!)

We've been a few times,so I'm familiar with the hazards.
I think they predate tractors and are remnants of medieval ridge and furrow farming https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridge_and_furrow

We won't be able to come next year so are considering Cropredy or Dartmoor as alternatives.

So far it's been good.

 

[IanB1485]

Wasn't impressed with Cropredy , it was OK but I like all the different stages and with improv sessions at both shrewsbury and Warwick .

 

[rich0805]

Wasn't impressed with Cropredy , it was OK but I like all the different stages and with improv sessions at both shrewsbury and Warwick .

Warwick was my other possibility. We are only not going to Shrewsbury next year because it clashes with a big party some friends are having.
We like the different stages at Shrewsbury, everything being quite close together and being able to get in to town gof supplies .

 

[woodsieboy]

After my mover disaster in France, and the email trauma, this weekend, I have had my faith restored.
Just had a new Powertouch Evolutuion mover fitted on the drive at home.
Used Caravan Movers On Line, phoned them when in France, booked for this morning, they confirmed by phone yesterday and arrived at 7.15.
All fitted and demonstrated working by 8.15
I have no previous connection with them, but have been very impressed, also did not have to pay until the work was completed not even a deposit
New mover is certainly an improvement on the previous Classic that was 8 years old