Does anyone have any experiance with a Mr Shifta.I,d like to know if there is any overrun sort of retardance i.e when comming down a gradient.Thinking of getting one as we have a bit of a slope in the back garden.cheers seth
Mr Shifta
- Thread starter seth1
- Start date
Hello Seth,
Mr Shifta is the type of mover that attaches to the 'A' frame o the caravan. All 'A' frame movers have limited ability on slopes.
It is not about how much power thy have, but more importantly how much grip they have. Just like cars, power without grip results in wheel spin. However it is not the wheel spin that is of the greatest concern, but more the ability of the mover to stop the caravan moving when it is on a slope.
The problem is that all driven wheels can only deliver control if there is enough force pushing them to the ground. For a 'A' frame mover that is limited to the weight of the mover, plus the nose weight of the caravan. This likely to be only about 100Kg. This is not significantly more than the weight of an adult man.
As a guideline, if you think you, (by your self without the use of the caravan brakes) would have trouble stopping your caravan from running down the gradient, then the 'A' frame mover is likely to have the same trouble.
Add to that any conditions that reduce the surface and makes it slippy, (Water oil ice or leaves and gravel) then you may find that an A frame mover does not give you the security or drive you need.
Exactly the same physics apply to an axle mover, but here each wheel has approx. half the weight of the caravan pushing it to the ground, which provides much more control.
A frame movers are perfectly suitable for broadly flat level hard ground, but they may not provide a safe answer for gradients.
There are other things you may wish to consider;
You have to and 'A' frame mover each time you want to use it.
If you want to use it on site, you have to carry it and lift it in and out of the car or caravan.
'A' frame movers offer limited visibility of the rear of the caravan.
Axle movers are permanently available at home or on site, and most have a remote control that allows you to move around the caravan to se exactly where you are moving it.
If you are still considering an 'A' frame mover, then some of the supplier offer a home trial where they will demonstrate it. If you have a demo, ask them to guarantee the move will perform the necessary moves in all weather and surface conditions that are likely to occur on your premises.
Mr Shifta is the type of mover that attaches to the 'A' frame o the caravan. All 'A' frame movers have limited ability on slopes.
It is not about how much power thy have, but more importantly how much grip they have. Just like cars, power without grip results in wheel spin. However it is not the wheel spin that is of the greatest concern, but more the ability of the mover to stop the caravan moving when it is on a slope.
The problem is that all driven wheels can only deliver control if there is enough force pushing them to the ground. For a 'A' frame mover that is limited to the weight of the mover, plus the nose weight of the caravan. This likely to be only about 100Kg. This is not significantly more than the weight of an adult man.
As a guideline, if you think you, (by your self without the use of the caravan brakes) would have trouble stopping your caravan from running down the gradient, then the 'A' frame mover is likely to have the same trouble.
Add to that any conditions that reduce the surface and makes it slippy, (Water oil ice or leaves and gravel) then you may find that an A frame mover does not give you the security or drive you need.
Exactly the same physics apply to an axle mover, but here each wheel has approx. half the weight of the caravan pushing it to the ground, which provides much more control.
A frame movers are perfectly suitable for broadly flat level hard ground, but they may not provide a safe answer for gradients.
There are other things you may wish to consider;
You have to and 'A' frame mover each time you want to use it.
If you want to use it on site, you have to carry it and lift it in and out of the car or caravan.
'A' frame movers offer limited visibility of the rear of the caravan.
Axle movers are permanently available at home or on site, and most have a remote control that allows you to move around the caravan to se exactly where you are moving it.
If you are still considering an 'A' frame mover, then some of the supplier offer a home trial where they will demonstrate it. If you have a demo, ask them to guarantee the move will perform the necessary moves in all weather and surface conditions that are likely to occur on your premises.
Hi Seth.
John has got his wires crossed a little. The Mr Shifter couples direct to the hitch coupling of the caravan or trailer, whereas the motor mover actually was designed to use the existing jocky wheel clamp. The motor mover has an attatchment that allows direct fitting to the coupling in a simlar way to Mr shifter.
With the Mr shifter, you will get quite a big torque jump of the control handle as you start off, whereas, with the motormover you don't get this as it is fixed more rigidly in the jocky wheel clamp.
As for performance, both units are very capable on the flat and both do well on hard surfaces, but grass and gravel will snooker them and you won't get far. One tip I can give is to run the mover on a couple of builders planks (perhaps cut in half to save weight for carrying at home)which will provide a hard surface. As for climbing slopes a gradient of 1ft up for every 10ft travelled is achieveable (1 in 10 in the old money).
Driving the van backwards up the slopes puts a better gravitational force on the units for better grip also by coming down the slope forwards you again have better control.
On a steeper slope going backwards, I slew the van sharp left, then chock the left wheel. Then I slew the van to the right and chock the right wheel. After that i just repeat left, right etc until Im up the steep bit. It's a kind of zig zag whalse but it works so long as you have room.
I have a motormover ET which I have tucked away in the shed at present as we are full timing in our 2005 Abbey 540. I used to use it on a Link 575 twin axle van. It performed very well for it's size. Obviously turning with the twin axle Link was stiff but with patience and planning my route I could do anything. I fitted a second jocky wheel clamp to my van and also to my 1 ton goods trailer to make the useage easier. I still use it for the trailer as I suffer from arthritis of the shoulders and back, which has stopped me from using physical grunt to push the trailers around.
Both of these movers are designed more with home use in mind and as such they are much cheaper to purchase than the fixed variety and another plus is that because they are totally portable they don't add weight to the van when towing. unless of cause you decide to take it with you.
ATB Steve L.
John has got his wires crossed a little. The Mr Shifter couples direct to the hitch coupling of the caravan or trailer, whereas the motor mover actually was designed to use the existing jocky wheel clamp. The motor mover has an attatchment that allows direct fitting to the coupling in a simlar way to Mr shifter.
With the Mr shifter, you will get quite a big torque jump of the control handle as you start off, whereas, with the motormover you don't get this as it is fixed more rigidly in the jocky wheel clamp.
As for performance, both units are very capable on the flat and both do well on hard surfaces, but grass and gravel will snooker them and you won't get far. One tip I can give is to run the mover on a couple of builders planks (perhaps cut in half to save weight for carrying at home)which will provide a hard surface. As for climbing slopes a gradient of 1ft up for every 10ft travelled is achieveable (1 in 10 in the old money).
Driving the van backwards up the slopes puts a better gravitational force on the units for better grip also by coming down the slope forwards you again have better control.
On a steeper slope going backwards, I slew the van sharp left, then chock the left wheel. Then I slew the van to the right and chock the right wheel. After that i just repeat left, right etc until Im up the steep bit. It's a kind of zig zag whalse but it works so long as you have room.
I have a motormover ET which I have tucked away in the shed at present as we are full timing in our 2005 Abbey 540. I used to use it on a Link 575 twin axle van. It performed very well for it's size. Obviously turning with the twin axle Link was stiff but with patience and planning my route I could do anything. I fitted a second jocky wheel clamp to my van and also to my 1 ton goods trailer to make the useage easier. I still use it for the trailer as I suffer from arthritis of the shoulders and back, which has stopped me from using physical grunt to push the trailers around.
Both of these movers are designed more with home use in mind and as such they are much cheaper to purchase than the fixed variety and another plus is that because they are totally portable they don't add weight to the van when towing. unless of cause you decide to take it with you.
ATB Steve L.
I don't think John has got his wires crossed. When John mentions motormover he is talking about the motors that are attached to the chassis permanently and are engaged against the main wheels when required. Hence his statement that each wheel takes about half the weight of the caravan.
I am sorry Steve, but I was quite clear, I differentiate between 'A' frame movers and axle movers. I did not mention motormovers so my friend I think you have your wires crossed.
I am also aware that the Mr Shifta attaches to the ball hitch, and so I link to the 'A' frame category as it acts through the a frame, as opposed to directly driving the wheels on the main axle.
As such Mr Shifta products suffer the same inherent short comings of gradient and poor surface grip as all other 'A' Frame movers. The torque reaction you mention is a further consideration.
You are correct that you van zig zag up (and down) a gradient, but it does need the space to do it, and you may not have the luxury of choosing whether to go up rearward or forwards first.
The other very important consideration is the surface condition. It may be dry and fine when you move at the beginning of a holiday but wet or even icy when you return.
Seth,
I did not actually answer your top question, I believe the Mr Shifta has a brake that engages when the motor power is stopped, so the overrun should be minimal, but if the wheel cannot grip the caravan will continue to move.
I am also aware that the Mr Shifta attaches to the ball hitch, and so I link to the 'A' frame category as it acts through the a frame, as opposed to directly driving the wheels on the main axle.
As such Mr Shifta products suffer the same inherent short comings of gradient and poor surface grip as all other 'A' Frame movers. The torque reaction you mention is a further consideration.
You are correct that you van zig zag up (and down) a gradient, but it does need the space to do it, and you may not have the luxury of choosing whether to go up rearward or forwards first.
The other very important consideration is the surface condition. It may be dry and fine when you move at the beginning of a holiday but wet or even icy when you return.
Seth,
I did not actually answer your top question, I believe the Mr Shifta has a brake that engages when the motor power is stopped, so the overrun should be minimal, but if the wheel cannot grip the caravan will continue to move.
Thanks guys for the replies,problem is im obsesed with adding wieght to the van unneccesaraly,were already close to 100% i expect(Adria 502dk+fiat stilo JTDm).So a bolted on mover is out the question and ive been told chassis maker,who ever it is dont recommend bolt on mover as jockey wheel is not intended to be used as a steered,stressed item that could inflict damage to frame sidemembers?Maybe get the drive landscaped instead,as dont really have any other need for a mover?
thanks seth
thanks seth
Seth
If its simply the permitted weight of the van that will be the decider and not what your tow car can handle you might want to talk to the van maker. Some will give you a revised weight plate at a small charge.
They don't actually do anything and neither do you other than attaching the aforementioned label, so don't ask me how or why it can be possible!
If its simply the permitted weight of the van that will be the decider and not what your tow car can handle you might want to talk to the van maker. Some will give you a revised weight plate at a small charge.
They don't actually do anything and neither do you other than attaching the aforementioned label, so don't ask me how or why it can be possible!
Sorry john, I wasn't aware that Mr Shifter came as a permanent bolt on option to the "A" frame of the caravan. Having looked again at Shifta.com I wasquite right pointing out that Mr shifta uses the caravan hitch coupling for it's location point.
Now then Seth.
You are quite right to be concerned about carrying extra weight if you only require a mover at home.
Mr shifter by it's construction uses exactly the same location as you do when towing the caravan with the car. So it will not have any adverse affect on your caravan chassis. Likewise the Motor mover realy has little tortional affect on the chassis and is approved by all the chassis manufacturers. In both circumstances we are talking about movers that work at about half a mile per hour, which is a safety factor built in to give you perfect control.
Bearing in mind that you can pick up a mover second hand for
Now then Seth.
You are quite right to be concerned about carrying extra weight if you only require a mover at home.
Mr shifter by it's construction uses exactly the same location as you do when towing the caravan with the car. So it will not have any adverse affect on your caravan chassis. Likewise the Motor mover realy has little tortional affect on the chassis and is approved by all the chassis manufacturers. In both circumstances we are talking about movers that work at about half a mile per hour, which is a safety factor built in to give you perfect control.
Bearing in mind that you can pick up a mover second hand for
Steve,
With the greatest respect please carefully re read my postings.
I have not even suggested that Mr Shifta bolted to the 'A' frame yet alone any other types. I deliberately used the word 'attached' to differentiate between fixing methods. I never used the word bolt.
The 'A' frame of a caravan includes the hitch assembly to which Mr Sifta attaches, thus it acts through the 'A' frame, and that makes it an 'A' frame mover and endows it with all the performance limiting attributes of other A frame movers.
I also intended to indicate that none of the A frame moves were 'permanently ' attached, but I not that my typing missed some words in my additional points in my first posting. by relating to the difficulties of having to lift the mover in and out of car or caravan each time they need to be attached.
With the greatest respect please carefully re read my postings.
I have not even suggested that Mr Shifta bolted to the 'A' frame yet alone any other types. I deliberately used the word 'attached' to differentiate between fixing methods. I never used the word bolt.
The 'A' frame of a caravan includes the hitch assembly to which Mr Sifta attaches, thus it acts through the 'A' frame, and that makes it an 'A' frame mover and endows it with all the performance limiting attributes of other A frame movers.
I also intended to indicate that none of the A frame moves were 'permanently ' attached, but I not that my typing missed some words in my additional points in my first posting. by relating to the difficulties of having to lift the mover in and out of car or caravan each time they need to be attached.
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