Motor Mover Position

[andy_5039827]

Am I missing somthing here.We all know how difficult it is to keep our caravan nose weight down.So my point is when motor movers are fitted to the chassis,why are they always positioned to the tow hitch side of the wheel making the nose heavier, and not to the rear of the caravan wheel,thus placing the extra weight towards the rear of the caravan.Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[JTQ]

I don't think many are design to be fitted aft of the wheel. The new Truma one can be and so can the Reich. I fitted my Reich aft because I feel its safer there but it screws up using ALKO's neat side jack. It certainly works fine aft of the wheeland I can change the tyrer with it there. As it is so close to the wheels stub axle it will not do much for reducing nose weight though.

 

[Guest]

I raised this very point with Powrtouch when I purchased my first mover. The answer was that the unit, if fitted behind the wheel would be subject to all the spray and road muck thrown up, and although sealed, would be possibly less reliable. However, they did state that if I so wished, the unit could easily be fited behind the axle. I elected to have it fitted in the front and did some re adjustment.

So the choice is up to the purchaser. Am I correct in thinking that twin axle vans have a mover at the front and rear of the pair of wheels?

 

[Damian]

As a Powrtouch fitter, the answer to why they are fitted in front of the wheels on a single axle van is to provide some protection from road spray, and to reduce the build up of mud and road dirt around the rollers.

On double axle vans, the only reason to fit behind the wheels is to aid turning by raising the front of the van on the jockey wheel, making it easier and less loading on the motors for turning.

As has ben said, sometimes the position of the jacking points may dictate different fitting, but the ideal is in front of the wheels.

 

[Hamer_5041128]

Hi Andy,

I can only speak for twin axle caravans. The fitting of the movers at the rear would foul the spare wheel carrier. On my last caravan, a Bailey, I had the carrier removed and the spare wheel placed in the front locker. However on my new Swift Conqueror there is no dedicated place in the front locker for the spare wheel so have had the movers fitted front of axles. As far as operation goes up to now no difference in efficiency of movers.

On previous two caravans with them being fitted at the rear they got really mucked up, especially when winter caravaning.I have noticed on the new caravan, fitted at the front ,they are much cleaner.

Hamer