In March 2010 we had a Powrtouch HD mover with electric actuation fitted
to our Bailey Senator Arizona with a view to keeping the 'van nose down
on our steeply sloping drive. It is a biggish 'van and no way could we
push it out without the mover.
We had hoped the mover would provide us with a easy and carefree solution to moving the 'van but that has not been the case.
As you may have read Cary and I have had an awful year during which she
has been battling against unfair dismissal. She finally lost her 14
month battle after loosing her unfair/unlawful dismissal claim at a 2
day Employment Tribunal last Wednesday. In addition her sister is
seriously ill in hospital in Cambridge. We had decided we would combine
a much needed break in the caravan with visiting her sister in
Cambridge.
Yesterday I was working on bringing the 'van out if its winter
hibernation ready for the "off" asap. I had charged the caravan battery
for 24 hours on a smart charger. The battery was showing 12.7v after
charging and so I refitted it to the 'van and routinely then tried the
motor mover. The rollers moved on and off wheels and rotated correctly.
I then tried again just be sure as we've had problems in the past. The
offside roller this second time stuck against the tyre and would not
retract.
There were lots of red lights on the remote so I checked the remote's
battery. The battery tested as okay but I replaced it just be sure with
a brand new one. Still no joy with the offside roller - it remained
stuck on the tyre.
This is our motor mover's "story", in brief, so far:
(1) March 2010 - An incorrectly placed electronic control box, it was
installed behind the heater and had to be moved to a bed box, under
warranty
(2) June 2010 - A failed electronic control box , I missed the 'van's
service appointment because of this despite having taken half a day off
work to take it in. A new box was fitted under warranty
(3) July 2010 - The offside motor bearing was clicking and had to be
replaced, just in time for our 5 week Continental hols, under warranty
(4) August 2010 - The nearside roller would not retract in France - but worked the next day!
(5) October 2010. -The nearside roller would not retract as we were
preparing to go away for our October Half Term hols. A new actuator
motor was fitted under warranty
(6) February 2011 The offside roller would not retract when we were
hoping to depart for a short break. The actuator motor micro-switch had
failed. A new actuator motor was fitted under warranty
(7) Today. It appears that the offside actuator motor, the one replaced in February 2011, has failed again!!!
So, so far we have had 5 service visits control box replaced, a
bearing replaced, 2 actuator motors replaced and it looks like another
motor has failed. Our holidays departures have been delayed 4 times.
I'm sick of problems with the mover - yes they've all been fixed under
warranty but if the current record continues what happens when that
expires!!?? Up to till now the motor move has had relatively light use
but as I have now taken early retirement and Cary is unlikely to get
another job we hope to go away in the 'van more often. To do that we
will need a reliable motor mover to get the 'van out of drive.
I've just spoken calmly and reasonably to a supervisor at Powrtouch re the repeated problems with my motor mover.
He offered me to possible solutions:
(1) To have the electric actuator replaced with a manual actuator
(2) To have an engineer to replace both actuator motors and full check over the mover to check for any underlying problems
Obviously I paid a lot of extra cash for the electric actuators. I
definitely NEED the mover because of the demands of our storage
situation at home. As I am increasingly suffering with arthritis in one
knee I need the mover for that reason too.
For now I have agreed to have the actuator motors replaced again and the
mover comprehensively checked over and PT are trying to arrange a
prompt repair asap. I have, however, clearly stated that this is
conditional on the motor being more reliable or I will have to
reconsider the change to a manual actuation system.
I have, also, however made it clear that I do not want or expect this
situation of repeated breakdowns to continue until we get out of
warranty and I have to start paying for it. In addition I have made it
clear that now we are both "retired" we hope to tour more at length in
Europe and we need the mover to be reliable.
I was wondering if those who have a manual actuation Powrtouch could
comment on how it's like to operate? It is a sad fact that like
everyone else I am not likely to get fitter and stronger as I get older.
I, therefore, don't want to consider a manual actuation system unless I
cope with it.
So input please on manual actuation systems and any other comments.
A PT fitter has just phoned he will be with me in an hour to carry out
the agreed repair. Great response but sadly my problem has never been
with the EXCELLENT aftercare service!!!
Tim
to our Bailey Senator Arizona with a view to keeping the 'van nose down
on our steeply sloping drive. It is a biggish 'van and no way could we
push it out without the mover.
We had hoped the mover would provide us with a easy and carefree solution to moving the 'van but that has not been the case.
As you may have read Cary and I have had an awful year during which she
has been battling against unfair dismissal. She finally lost her 14
month battle after loosing her unfair/unlawful dismissal claim at a 2
day Employment Tribunal last Wednesday. In addition her sister is
seriously ill in hospital in Cambridge. We had decided we would combine
a much needed break in the caravan with visiting her sister in
Cambridge.
Yesterday I was working on bringing the 'van out if its winter
hibernation ready for the "off" asap. I had charged the caravan battery
for 24 hours on a smart charger. The battery was showing 12.7v after
charging and so I refitted it to the 'van and routinely then tried the
motor mover. The rollers moved on and off wheels and rotated correctly.
I then tried again just be sure as we've had problems in the past. The
offside roller this second time stuck against the tyre and would not
retract.
There were lots of red lights on the remote so I checked the remote's
battery. The battery tested as okay but I replaced it just be sure with
a brand new one. Still no joy with the offside roller - it remained
stuck on the tyre.
This is our motor mover's "story", in brief, so far:
(1) March 2010 - An incorrectly placed electronic control box, it was
installed behind the heater and had to be moved to a bed box, under
warranty
(2) June 2010 - A failed electronic control box , I missed the 'van's
service appointment because of this despite having taken half a day off
work to take it in. A new box was fitted under warranty
(3) July 2010 - The offside motor bearing was clicking and had to be
replaced, just in time for our 5 week Continental hols, under warranty
(4) August 2010 - The nearside roller would not retract in France - but worked the next day!
(5) October 2010. -The nearside roller would not retract as we were
preparing to go away for our October Half Term hols. A new actuator
motor was fitted under warranty
(6) February 2011 The offside roller would not retract when we were
hoping to depart for a short break. The actuator motor micro-switch had
failed. A new actuator motor was fitted under warranty
(7) Today. It appears that the offside actuator motor, the one replaced in February 2011, has failed again!!!
So, so far we have had 5 service visits control box replaced, a
bearing replaced, 2 actuator motors replaced and it looks like another
motor has failed. Our holidays departures have been delayed 4 times.
I'm sick of problems with the mover - yes they've all been fixed under
warranty but if the current record continues what happens when that
expires!!?? Up to till now the motor move has had relatively light use
but as I have now taken early retirement and Cary is unlikely to get
another job we hope to go away in the 'van more often. To do that we
will need a reliable motor mover to get the 'van out of drive.
I've just spoken calmly and reasonably to a supervisor at Powrtouch re the repeated problems with my motor mover.
He offered me to possible solutions:
(1) To have the electric actuator replaced with a manual actuator
(2) To have an engineer to replace both actuator motors and full check over the mover to check for any underlying problems
Obviously I paid a lot of extra cash for the electric actuators. I
definitely NEED the mover because of the demands of our storage
situation at home. As I am increasingly suffering with arthritis in one
knee I need the mover for that reason too.
For now I have agreed to have the actuator motors replaced again and the
mover comprehensively checked over and PT are trying to arrange a
prompt repair asap. I have, however, clearly stated that this is
conditional on the motor being more reliable or I will have to
reconsider the change to a manual actuation system.
I have, also, however made it clear that I do not want or expect this
situation of repeated breakdowns to continue until we get out of
warranty and I have to start paying for it. In addition I have made it
clear that now we are both "retired" we hope to tour more at length in
Europe and we need the mover to be reliable.
I was wondering if those who have a manual actuation Powrtouch could
comment on how it's like to operate? It is a sad fact that like
everyone else I am not likely to get fitter and stronger as I get older.
I, therefore, don't want to consider a manual actuation system unless I
cope with it.
So input please on manual actuation systems and any other comments.
A PT fitter has just phoned he will be with me in an hour to carry out
the agreed repair. Great response but sadly my problem has never been
with the EXCELLENT aftercare service!!!
Tim
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