Motor mover cross member ground clearance.

[Morganic]

I have just had a mover fitted to my van - an Enduro from Purpleline. It works very well but I am concerned about the amount if ground clearance there now is for the cross member.
My caravan needed dropper plates and has 15" wheels so the mover drive roller centres on the tyre. It looks okay but I just wonder how I will fare going over those speed humps etc.
How much clearance do movers usually have? I presume most fit onto the chassis using a clamping system? Also if you have smaller wheels and a deep chassis then the ground clearance will also be reduced.
Wonder if anyone can shed any light on this matter as I am beginning to think I've let myself in for a load of problems.

 

[Sproket]

What ground clearance do you have between the mounting bar that goes between the mover motors & the ground ??
Max height of speed bumps are 10cms unless it has changed

 

[Morganic]

There's a clearance of 145mm.
The caravan is currently unloaded and tyre pressures up for storage. When I load up and adjust tyre pressures to go touring then this will lower the chassis of the caravan and consequently the mover cross beam.
I don't think the height of the movers can be altered or the drive rollers will not contact the wheel at the 3 o'clock position
Seems like a good idea was not as good after all!

 

[otherclive]

I have a Reich Move Control which sits very low and in front of the wheels. It has been fitted since 2005 and has never given any problem on speed humps, or ferry ramps. I did hit a kerb once trying to exit a French Aire where the locals had parked thier solo cars too close so that I couldnt reverse. It took out the kerbstone and didnt change its roller-wheel clearance one jot! It also goes up my Milenco Quattro levveling ramp without impacting when towed up by the car. Fetching the van out today for a trip so I will measure it, but the old Reichs were about as low as any movers on the market so I would guess yours will not be any lower.

 

[JTQ]

As the mover is near the wheel then going over the sleeper type road hump should not be an issue at the moderate speeds you would take them. The wheesl will lift the axle with little suspension movement in that case. Pillow humps ought to be taken by placing a caravan wheel well onto it rather than straddling it.
Issues can come with kerbing where the front located, or side extention of the mover hits a kerb before the wheels, so caution is needed to avoid doing this.

 

[otherclive]

Just got the van home, all on level drive, and tyres all pumped up. Clearance is just over 110mm betwen earth and the plate that sits inside of my rollers and runs fore and aft. No disceranble rubbing seen on the base of that plate. Rollers are set at between 8 and 7 o clock when retracted from the wheel. Oh how I envy your 'massive' clearance ). You could take your van greenlaning!!
And van is nearly empty too.

 

[Morganic]

Many thanks for responses. I have contacted Purpleline for advice so we will see what happens.
Mine is fitted to the rear of the wheels and to be honest works very well very impressed too with fitment and fitter - just worried about the low ground clearance.

 

[Morganic]

Thanks for response. I'm not too worried about the mover motors it's the cross member and cross actuator tube that goes across the van that seems low to me.
Just think it might scag on some hidden obstacle or damned speed hump!

 

[otherclive]

It's not my motors that I measured as they sit inboard it was the lowest part of the whole mover. The cross actuator is 20 mm lower than yours. Yes if you cannot avoid a obstacle in the road it may hit the cross actuator but what is your cars ground clearance? I think you may be worrying uneccessarily. Once you have done a few trips your confidence will build up, after all your mover has been around for quite a while and I cannot recall any posts where it was hit by a object and certainly not a speed hump.

 

[Sproket]

Thanks for response. I'm not too worried about the mover motors it's the cross member and cross actuator tube that goes across the van that seems low to me.
Just think it might scag on some hidden obstacle or damned speed hump!

My Hymer is fitted with a powrtouch motor mover & the van has 15" wheels like yours, I have just measured mine & its about 140mm in the middle of the lowest rail, it's been on 5.1/2 years & never been a problem.
Your jocky wheel will foul the road before the mover gets hit.
But what type of tug are you pulling the van with ???
Most cars when loaded will only have about 4,1/2" of ground clearance excluding the 4x4's type of tug

 

[Morganic]

Its an Octavia 4X4 not a Scout. Will jut suck it and see. Thanks for reassurance.

 

[Raywood]

We have had two movers fitted a Carver and a Purple line,never measured the height but never had any trouble either,

 

[xtrailman]

I have never had a issue with my mover, fitted on either side of the axle.
What you have to watch for with my Reich is hitting a kerb!.

As said the jockey wheel is the first to ground, very little clearance on mine, but as yet not caught that either, just moderate your speed to stop the caravan bouncing.