Mover fitting problems

[Michael_374352548]

Have 6month old Bailey Pageant Burgundy. Ordered a Powrtouch heavy duty mover,very quick efficient service but due to plastic heater exit fitting fitter put spacers in which lowered unit by a good 2 ins more than normal. Checked with Powrtouch who sent another guy who said it was too low, took it off and said he would design a mod to the plastic exit and fit it again. This has been done today but neither he nor I are happy with the mod so he is going to restore it to original. The only choice we have it would seem is (a)to do without a mover and ask for our money back, or (b)have it fitted behind the axle which would mean the sare wheel carrier would have to go further back and the drainage pipes and exits would have to be moved. Would this have any impact on stability or warrancy?

I find it hard to believe Bailey designed a caravan with this problem with movers being so popular. Any advice welcome.

Mike

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Michael,

First and foremost, the air intake for the gas fire must not be modified. That is subject to a proven design and even small changes can compromise the products performance. Powertouch should be made aware that they must not modify gas appliances.

Rant over, lets see if we can offer any practical advice. Powertouch should be able to tell you if the mover can fitted in front or behind the axle. If the mover can be fitted on the other side, then how about moving the spare wheel carrier to the other side of the axle. The weight of the mover should counter most of the weight of the spare.

It is possible that because of the geometry of the suspension that the mover may not work on the other side of the axle, in which case the sale of goods act come to your rescue, in so far that the seller has supplied a product that is not fit for your purpose.

Perhaps there is another model from Powertouch that might work, or look at some of the units from other manufacturers, when checking other designs make sure you tell them about the heater, and they should be able to confirm id their product will fit.

 

[Michael_374352548]

Thanks John, it wasnt the air intake modded it was the warm air exit pipe.

 

[tangophil]

I am about to have a Powrtouch model 3 mover fitted to my Compass Rallye 524, it too has a warm air pipe going from the fire to the rear washroom which appears to be going to be in the way of the mover.

I have examined the pipe and think that there is enough free play to be able to work it around the mover as I don't really want to lower the mover as I fear it would scrub speed humps etc.

I'll let you know

Phil

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello again Michael,

If you are referring to a length of hot air ducting, then you can certainly move this, but the longer it is or the more bends it has will reduce the air flow through it.

If it has anything to do with the combustion air intake or the exhaust then my original comments still stand.

 

[David_from_Ashby]

Hi

I had the same problem with the Enduro mover on a Compass Corona 524. The warm air ducting was right where the motor wanted to go on both sides. My (slightly crude but simple) solution was to crush the ducting enough to give clearance for the motors. Ok, so this has reduced the air flow to the rear bathroom, but not too much, and there is still enough warm air reaching it to keep icicles at bay during the depths of winter (and Easter too!). I may reroute the ducting in the future if I can be bothered, but the mod has certainly not caused me any real problems.

Cheers

David

 

[GeorgeB]

Michael,

The ducting is indeed the hot air feed from the heater to the front of the van.

I've got a Powrtouch mover fitted to my Bailey Senator Series 5 Indiana, which has exactly the same layout as your Burgundy, albeit in a slightly wider body, the way my fitter overcame the problem was to "stretch" the ducting slightly & then cable tie it to the chassis thus keeping it out of the way of the mover's motor.

it works for me with no noticable loss of heat to the front of the van

 

[Michael_374352548]

Thanks for advise, problem now sorted and mover fitted OK.

The problem was caused by the L shaped plastic fitting Bailey are now using to join the heating duct where it leaves and enters caravan, spoke to Bailey helpline who said solution would be to remove fitting where it leaves van under axle.

So solution is a new length of inner duct from heater unit to entry fitting and new length of outer pipe for outside of van. It has to be compressed a bit to make mover fit but still good flow of air.

 

[VonRyan]

Hi Michael,

We too have a Series 6 Bailey Pageant Burgundy and we went for the Rhyno motor mover which is fitted in front of the wheels and nothing had to be modified. Kojack and spare wheel carrier behind wheels not effected. Lots of clearance, no problems what so ever.The only thing is I can't fit shockers, but it tows and rides so well I don't require them.

Rob