Powrtouch, Reich or Alko

[Gazza1]

Hi all,
I'm in the market for my first mover, but really can't believe the prices, wow.
Anyway, I'm after a slimline, lightweight, discreet unit that has little or no impact on ground clearance. Which after a bit of research limits me to one of the 3 names above?
We have a 2012 single axle van on an Alko chassis, no brainer, buy the Alko Mammut, but £1500 really!! Way over my intended budget.
So, the Reich movers, never heard of them, but seem to get good reviews and at just over £1000 its much cheaper than the Alko.
But then, Powrtouch seem to get a lot of good reports from all on here and it comes a 5 year warranty and excellent customer service, but if the product is that good, why is everybody commenting how good the warranty and customer are, you should never need it!?!
Are any of you using the Mammut mover and is it really worth paying the extra money for?
I had convinced the Wife that I would only be spending around £600, but I’m a firm believer ‘You get what you pay for ‘ or do you?
Your honest opinions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Gazza

 

[DeliDave_]

We have a Reich mover that is over 10 years old and touch wood

has been no trouble at all However it is not particularly good for clearance although we have never caught anything.Someone posted a list of clearances once iirc.I would definately buy another Reich if we had to replace tho and live with the ground clearance

 

[Martin24]

We had our powrtouch single axle for 7 years with no problems at all except it did interfere with our neighbours' door bell as they were on the same frequency. We let them know when we were going to be on the move and they took action so the bell wasn't going at 5am!! Powrtouch were willing to change the frequency if necessary. Have had our twin axle one for nearly three years now. Last year it stopped working but was fixed straight away under warranty with no quibbles at all. Since then no problems.

 

[otherclive]

Had a Reich Move Control for 8 years with nary a problem. Ground clearance lower than some but even smacking a French site kerb which broke the kerbstone it never budged the Reich. If you can re position the spare wheel carrier slightly rearwards and don't use the sidelift jack it would be best to fit the Reich aft of the axle.

 

[Danddandy]

Slightly off topic here but how do you move the wheel carrier back?

 

[Danddandy]

Slightly off topic here but how do you move the wheel carrier back?

 

[Gazza1]

Thanks all for your replies.

The Reich mover I was looking at, was the Move Control EcoLine, on Caravanmoversonlione.co.uk, very similar design to the Alko, but costs less.

So, without a real world review of the Alko and being put off by the price, its going have to be a Reich or a Powrtouch then. Time to give them a call and see what they have to say. That said I only live 10 miles from Powrtouch's base in Foston, wonder if I can just pop down and a have gander.

Anyways, Thanks again for your replies, much appreciated

Cheers

Gazza

 

[otherclive]

http://www.caravanmovers.co.uk/products/Alko-Spare-Wheel-Carrier-Moving-System.html

this one is from Powertouch and cost around £50 but would allow a Reich or other mover to be fitted. From memory Reich made one too. I don't carry the spare under the van as its far quicker and safer to carry it in the van especially abroad. Some may say its a bad idea moving the wheel further back and then fitting 35kg of mover behind the wheel too. But they are both low down and still close to the axle so noseweight adjustment or stability should not be an issue.

 

[RayS]

The other problem with fitting a mover behind the axle is that it gets very wet from the wheel spray and the roller mechanism picks up all the dust and rubbish as well. The rubber gaiters on some drive motors are really not up to keeping the motor dry under these conditions.
If you absolutely must fit behind the axle, make sure the leads from the motors hang downwards as the leave the motor terminals before going up under the van. This will encourage water to drip off the lowest part and not "follow" the wires down to the motor.

It is quite dirfficult to add further protection to the motors once the mover is installed. I had to fit my mover behind the axle and fitted the motor connections and then added further protection in the form of a stong plastic bag securely taped on. I had about 50cm of 'flying lead' from each terminal and made a good connection to the main cables where I could make and protect a good joint.
I use plastic bags and runner bands to protect the rollers when towing - they come off quite easily and can be considered expendable if very dirty (which they usually are). As yet, I have always remembered to remove the bags before engaging the rollers, but I suspect they would just tear off anyway.
If you are prepared to risk the warranty, it may be possible to drill small drain holes at the bottom of the rear end cap of each motor. This will prevent any water building up in the brush section of the motor, which is what can happen if the precautions I have detailed are not taken.
All this I've found out the hard way - particulalry hard since a motor failed en route to Spain in the winter and the supplier will only supply a new motor with gear head 9rather than just the motor) making it a very expensive replacement.

 

[SteveW77]

I had a powrtouch HD3 mover fitted behind the wheels on my Swift Utopia 530 for 7 years without any kind of extra protection.
I tow for about 6000---7000 mile a year in all kinds of weather never had a problem.

Steve W

 

[whitetop]

What about this
http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/e-go-promo-single-axle-caravan-mover/
I bought this and fitted it myself....simple DIY job...
Not sure how it compares with others, price wise, but at the time I bought it.....3 yrs ago approx, it was the best value for money.
Never had a problem and a 5 yr parts warranty....

 

[carper2]

I have a Powrtouch mover which I have had for 8 years. The only problem I have had with it is a wire breaking twice in the control box. Both times this was repaired free of charge, once was last year and I was in France. I posted it back to them and it was sent back free of charge. This is the 3rd Caravan I have had it on.

Les

 

[Dustydog]

Just before the warranty expired Powrtouch replaced both gearboxes FOC. There was apparently a "bad "batch. Otherwise it still moves the Wyoming satisfactorily.

 

[mealsonwheels]

Without doubt - Powrtouch.