MotorMovers

[Albert_5039897]

Is there anyone out there that can help me decide wich mover to buy, I have a Powertouch at present and has had a couple of problems both fixed ok under warranty but is now 7 years old and sounding tired

I am purchasing a new van MTPL 1500kg the dealer reccomends Reich but this only has two year guarantee and the power touch has a five year guarantee.

So technically which is the best

Hope someone can imform me

 

[JTQ]

All I can add is that I have had a Reich single axle unit for 5 years, my brother for 3, and neither of us has needed a warrantee; he said fingers crossed! My unit is a 1700kg, my brothers a 1500kg

Several acquaintances with another make have needed their 5-year warrantees; involving rollers, a motor, a main control board and a handset. In fairness others have been trouble free and even those who have had trouble seem to be satisfied in that their defective units were replaced with minimum hassle.

Whether its just luck I don't know.

I went for the Reich on the feeling it was the best engineered; that it had its motors tucked out of the wheel spray between the chassis members; and could be mounted aft of the wheel which is physically the safer location should I hit anything solid. Pre having this unit I did once have to swerve and take a van's wheel over a kerb to avoid an idiot, so that aspect was high on my priorities.

I don't think however that any of the current offerings are now poor.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Albert,

The German ADAC organisation, a combination of the AA, Which, Caravan Club, and a travel company; performs many really useful independent tests of caravan tyres, stability systems, crash tests, sat nav systems, and recently - motor movers (www.adac.de)

The Reich and Truma movers both rated top marks, with all other brands considerably behind - and German reviews do place some emphasis on engineering quality.

The disadvantages of the ADAC site are that it's for the home market only (so all pages are in German), many pages are for members only, and some of the review pages are free for only a short time - before hiding in the members pages.

And there's nothing like the ADAC reviews in the UK - why the CC or C&CC aren't doing something useful like this is a question that needs to be raised - even if those organisations just offered translations of the more relevant tests to members - that would be so much better than the "paid advertisements" that pass for the "product reviews" in their UK magazines.

We have an Eriba caravan - and basically that must use the Reich mover because of the custom AL-KO chassis. Because the motors are inboard of the wheels I haven't heard of any motor, gearbox, or drive-train issues on the Eriba forums.

Robert

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I had a Truma /Carver for 7 years and I needed a 5 year warranty after 2 years but as it didn't have one I had to pay over

 

[peteh1]

hi albert i have also had a powertouch for a couple of years i phoned them last sat to say the rooler was becoming diffacult to put on to the tyre they told me that the runners should be greased once a year which hadn't been done so they said they would come out and have alook and do any work free of charge altough it was,nt a warrenty job.i say stick with what you know there sevice is second to none. and it,s british!!! all the best peter h

 

[RayS]

I'm a fan of powertouch having had one for 6 years on three differnet vans. Yes, I've had bits replaced but under warranty up to 5 years and with minimum of fuss. The engineering of the gearbox is excellent - as usual it's the electrics which are a bit less well engineered ( forgive the bias of a professional Mechanical Engineer)

I believe the second generation movers now all offer soft start which only Powrtouch used to, and I certainly would not buy anything without.

I believe Powrtouch offer a "price match" deal now, so I would certainly give them another go.

 

[mealsonwheels]

Albert,

The new Powrtouch Innovations movers are expected to be available early in 2008 and having read the details, we will be getting one for our new caravan, due for delivery in February, which also has an MTPLM of 1500, like yours.

 

[albert3]

Thanks for all your help, sorry its late (work pressures). I had to go withy the Reich due to delivery problems, (Dealer could not get a Powertouich in time).

I have tried it a couple of times and and found it better than the power touch for several reason., 1. The method of attaching to the wheels is easier as this winds on rather than the lever action of the powertouch. 2. I only wind one side and both rollers attach to wheels. 3. It seems a bit more powerfull, although the later powertouch model may be more powerful.

Again thanks for your help

 

[Rodone]

I had one of the very early Powrtouch movers with the cross actuation and have found the after sales service to be beyond reproach. When, after four and a half years, I found a bit of rust on the unit I telephoned Powrtouch to see if it was OK to red lead and paint it. Their reply was to send me a complete new unit ( the whole lot), with an engineer to fit it!! When I change my van, I will most certainly use Powrtouch again.

 

[RogerL]

PowrTouch model 3 heavy duty, will move any single axle, just use the pricematch to get a good price.