Motor Movers

[AlexC]

Hi,

I was at our local dealer yesterday and they are offering a Reich mover, not automatic actuation ( it's an extra £200 for the auto )for £850 all in. I'm seriously considering it.

I've read a few of the older threads on motor movers, but there a still a couple of things that I am unsure of.

To wind the rollers onto the tyres is it just similar job to winding down the steadies, ie fairly quick ? We live on a busy-ish road and want to park up as quickly as possible.

Also, as the mover sits quite low, has anyone had any problems with speed humps, kerbs etc ? For example, if I were to park up at the side of the road, one set of wheels on the verge and the other on the road, is there good chance that the mover will hit the kerb ? Our towcar is a little low at the back already.

If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it. Apologies if these questions have been asked many times before.

Cheers,

Alex.

 

[HomerS1]

Hi, we have a manual Reich and it takes just a few seconds to wind on and off. It needs to be quick as I block the street when getting the van back on to my drive. It is a bit low and I treat the more aggressive speed bumps with a degree of care. If your car is low in the back this may cause a problem. I actually raised the height of my tow hook which helped. They also tend to be quite wide (as wide as the tire)and I kerbed one in France cracking the plastic casing. Overall I'm pleased with it although in wet conditions I do get some slippage and need to add my weight (onto a leveling ramp for instance. I've never experienced another make so can't make a comparison. By the way I paid over

 

[AlexC]

Thanks Homer,

Glad to hear that it only takes a few seconds to wind on.

I was worried about the ground clearance and I think you've kinda confirmed that. I'll need to be more careful than I am at the moment.

I hadn't considered the problem of slippage, but as you say, in more difficult circumstances, it's a possibility.

You've mentioned levelling ramps and it slipping in the wet on these. Do you have any problem in the dry, getting onto a levelling ramp ?

Thanks again for your help and confirmation of the price.

Alex.

 

[TD42]

Hi Alex I have a powrtouch & its manualy operated it literaly takes seconds to apply the rollers even quicker if you have a "cross actuation bar" fitted which allowes both rollers to be engaged from one side. I did run over a kerb "trafic island"& the mover cleared it ok there are others that you have to wind on Rhino I think But powrtouch aka powrwheel will equal any other companies best offer.They also supply reconditioned units(like new)

mine cost

 

[AlexC]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your comments. The Reich one is the only one my local dealer fits so I'm kinda limited in my choices. I did look at other options and other makes and getting a mobile operator to fit it, it's just easier ( lazy ) to let the dealer do it. I trust them and they are good. I probably wouldn't have done it at their original price of

 

[HomerS1]

Thanks Homer,

Glad to hear that it only takes a few seconds to wind on.

I was worried about the ground clearance and I think you've kinda confirmed that. I'll need to be more careful than I am at the moment.

I hadn't considered the problem of slippage, but as you say, in more difficult circumstances, it's a possibility.

You've mentioned levelling ramps and it slipping in the wet on these. Do you have any problem in the dry, getting onto a levelling ramp ?

Thanks again for your help and confirmation of the price.

Alex.

Hi, no problems in the dry. Mine possibly needs adjusting to take it nearer the wheel but wouldn't be without it.

 

[Daveg1]

I have a Reich Mover which works fine. Whilst the ground clearance has never caused me a problem I am always concerned when towing how vulnerable it is from kerb damage. I regret not considering this factor enough when making my selection.

Are the other makes any better in this regard?

 

[John_miller]

I know you prefer your dealer to fit, but Rhyno claim the highest ground clearance and lightest weight. They fit at your door and fitted price for a single axle is around

 

[JTQ]

I had a Reich Comfort for about 5 years on my previous 1700 kg van and consider it a very well made product using excellent motor/gearing units and it worked faultlessly throughout that time.

The wind in/out is probably quicker than steadies but needs a tad more effort during the bit where it is deflecting the tyre.

The cross actuation is a standard feature of the wind on "Comfort".

The level of the winding handle is quite low such that winding from the side adjacent to a high kerb would be inhibited with the normal steady handle. I used a socket set "nut runner" fitted with a universal as I had that problem unless I wanted to be out on the traffic side.

There is misinformation re Reich being lower than other movers, but nevertheless there is an issue.

All movers have structural cross tubes that have to go under the chassis so within literally a mm or two for different tube sizes they all are technically as low as each other.

However where the Reich suffers is that its drive rollers and associated structure are also low thus more vulnerable to kerbing. Other makes locally raise the rollers so at the edges they are less vulnerable to kerbs but still as vulnerable to humps.

I my case I followed Reich advice for my German van and mounted the units aft of the wheels. Here it's fundamentally more protected but also the chassis itself is significantly higher thus increasing the clearance both to kerbs and humps.

Located aft itself has issues if the van carries its spare wheel there or you have a dedicated jacking point, neither problems in my original case.

The new van was too heavy for me to move the Reich to that and reluctantly I fitted a Powrtouch3. This is also mounted aft as it can't be fitted forward in our case. This is a significantly heavier product [plus 10 kg] and not a in my opinion as elegant a technical design solution as the Reich was, it also does not use the excellent UK EMD motor units. That said its work perfectly well so far.

 

[foshy]

Hi, I have a Rhyno mover (but I guess others are similar) and it takes less than 5 seconds to "wind" on or off each side. It takes longer to walk round to the other side but I guess you could run! One bit of advise - buy a decent 17mm star type socket so you don't have to spend time aligning the standard tool socket to the roller bolt. As for ground clearance that was the main reason I chose the Rhyno and have never had any issues.

 

[AlexC]

Hi, no problems in the dry. Mine possibly needs adjusting to take it nearer the wheel but wouldn't be without it.

Thanks Homer,

Alex.

 

[AlexC]

Thanks for all of your replies, excellent detailed descriptions and unbiased opinions.

I'm just about to send an enquiry off to Rhyno to ask about current prices and fitting, up here in Dundee, although may consider the " self fit " option.

John, when you fitted yours, was there any drilling involved ? Also, re- the electrics / battery connections, are you experienced in this area, as I am definitely not ! I also have a spare wheel carrier, which from JTQ's advice, could be a factor to consider.

Thanks again all,

Alex.

 

[John_miller]

Alex - I have to admit that the Rhyno instructions are not the best, but it is a fairly simple process. You may need to drill a 20mm access hole in the floor of your caravan - dead easy, but take care choosing the position. If you're lucky, there may already be a hole there you can utilise. You will also need to drill a couple of small holes into the back of your battery box to take the supply leads and a 22mm hole for the main switch. (20 & 22mm spade bits from Wilkinsons - dead cheap) This needs to be secured with a couple of bolts or self tapping screws (not supplied) which may also require small holes. Rhyno suggest this switch goes in the battery box and that suited me fine and was easy to do. I have done some electrical work in the past, but the electrics are straightforward and that part is well explained in the instructions. The supply leads are simply inserted into the existing battery clamps. I've also got a spare wheel carrier sitting behind the axle, but there was plenty of room in front of the wheels, which is the preferred position anyway. My mate's Elddis 'van had a large heating tube sitting in front of the wheels, so we had to fit his behind the axle, but he didn't have the wheel carrier. If you do decide to try fitting it yourself, I'd be happy to pass on my fitting experience in more detail. The best instructions I found were the Enduro ones (www.purpleline.co.uk/Enduro/Images/EM103 manual UK 06-07.pdf) and they might give you a better idea of what's involved. All movers are fitted in a very similar fashion!

 

[John_miller]

Alex - I forgot to mention that Rhyno don't do the cross-actuator. You have to clamp each unit separately - not a problem for me and it's very quick, but may be a factor for you.

John

 

[xtrailman]

Alex

I have the 2004 Reich,it sounds like the reich design is now different to mine, i have no plastic bits.

Over 5 years use, the remote hand set is starting to irritate, you have to keep pressure on the button, or the motors stop start.

But apart from that its like new, still on original rollers.

Note however the reich does not like to climb a ramp on one wheel with any significant incline, pushing to assist is involved.

Since we bought ours, many other makes are available, and prices have dropped, so i would recommend that you take your time, and compare the makes.

 

[oldievanner]

I have the twin wheel version, which really works well.Moved the 1800Kg van up a fairly steep slope, on wet grass, this weekend without any trouble at all. I agree that they do take a lot of winding to get it into the green portion of indicator, but a 24v cordless drill has no trouble at all. Also the mover is a boon to fit the Al-Ko wheel lock, as you can inch it along until it lines up.All I've got to do now is train it to jack van up and fit the second lock!!

 

[AlexC]

Thanks for your comments Gents,

John, from what you've said, I'm less nervous about attempting to fit it myself, if I decide to go that way. I haven't had a reply from Rhyno yet. Your offer of further help is much appreciated.

Ray and Peter thanks for your comments, especially climbing a levelling ramp. Not sure if I'm unlucky or a perfectionist, but I regularly have to use a ramp and was worried about this. It has now put me off the Reich model.

Cheers,

Alex.

 

[HenryS]

Hi. Alex. Just to get my two pennyworth, I bought a Powrtouch heavy duty model 3 with automatic actuation, delivered to Belfast and fitted by a Powrtouch fitter for

 

[HenryS]

Hi again. I forgot to mention I got the powrtouch this time last year.

Henry.

 

[AlexC]

Thanks Henry,

I think they would have to pricematch for me to be interested.

 

[HenryS]

Hi. Alex. I use three boards, each about three quarters of an inch thick and of different lengths for levelling. I planed one end of each board to a short taper and the three boards are screwed together with the opposite ends to the taper in line and this forms three steps. The van trundles up and down with no problem. I tend to use CC sites and hard standings which are fairly level anyway.

Henry.

 

[dan_374418372]

Hi alex,

I am looking for the twin axle version, that price seems very good. Could you let me have your dealers contact details please.

dankar@archer1.plus.com

Best regards

Dan

 

[AlexC]

Hi. Alex. I use three boards, each about three quarters of an inch thick and of different lengths for levelling. I planed one end of each board to a short taper and the three boards are screwed together with the opposite ends to the taper in line and this forms three steps. The van trundles up and down with no problem. I tend to use CC sites and hard standings which are fairly level anyway.

Henry.

Thanks Henry,

Alex.

 

[AlexC]

Hi alex,

I am looking for the twin axle version, that price seems very good. Could you let me have your dealers contact details please.

dankar@archer1.plus.com

Best regards

Dan

Hi Dan,

I don't mind posting their details on the fourm Hopefully for the dealer, some of our other forum colleagues may be interested and contact them too. it's all good for business.

They are Grants ( Craigmills ), Strathmartine by Dundee, just Google it. I don't think they have the offer on the website, but if you give them a call on 01382 817979.

Good luck,

Alex.

 

[Phillip_374423674]

Hi

My advice to you is DO NOT buy a Reich motor mover. I had one fitted with auto roller engagement,to a new Elddis 550, and it failed twice, the second time was a complete malfunction where the rollers were jammed on to the tyres. The after sales service is quite frankly crap here in the Midlands. The installers do not have an out of hours help line, so if you have a problem on a Friday afternoon, you're stuffed until Monday morning if you're lucky. Poor customer service. Please consider another make and avoid the hassle that I have had.