Reich motor mover

[Dennis_374341737]

Hi, I am asking on behalf of my parents. They have a Fleetwood single axle with a Reich motor mover. The other day whilst parking the caravan after a service they experienced a problem. After detaching the caravan they could not get it to go straight, it kept moving to the left. After sometime they managed to get it onto the parking area, the caravan then ran straight. To get onto the parking space the caravan does need to mount the kerb (using chocks to aid). Has any body had this? Also when trying to tow the caravan a short distance whilst the electrical and break away cables were detached, the car could not pull the caravan. What is the reason for this.

Kind regards

Paul

On behalf of Dennis and Hilary

 

[JTQ]

Initial reaction from the reference to towing is that it sounds more a van brake issue that a mover one.

I would first check that the Reich cross connecting bar is actually engaging and disengaging the rollers on BOTH sides. If not this could cause what you describe.

 

[JTQ]

Initial reaction from the reference to towing is that it sounds more a van brake issue that a mover one.

I would first check that the Reich cross connecting bar is actually engaging and disengaging the rollers on BOTH sides. If not this could cause what you describe.

I can't think of any malfunction of the Reich other than not disengaging a roller that could affect towing. Perhaps having the unit hitting a kerb and bending something to cause it to be engaged?

 

[antrimboy]

I would be inclined to agree with JTQ - it sounds as if the brake on one side is not releasing properly-perhaps until the 'van has had some backwards movement, and then it appears to be OK.

 

[Damian]

I think the cause is in your original question, which says "whilst parking the caravan after a service they experience......"

If it was immediately after the service, it is more than likely the brakes have been adjusted incorrectly.

I would want the service provider to rectify the problem without delay.

 

[antrimboy]

Further to my earlier post;

Regarding your ref. to the car not being able to tow the caravan, even for a short distance, although the following question may sound stupid, it's actually happened on several occasions before - Are you sure the mover's rollers were withdrawn off the tyres?

 

[Dennis_374341737]

Further to my earlier post;

Regarding your ref. to the car not being able to tow the caravan, even for a short distance, although the following question may sound stupid, it's actually happened on several occasions before - Are you sure the mover's rollers were withdrawn off the tyres?

Thank you all for your replies. It was being brought home straight from a service, but once it got past the kerb and onto the parking stand it all went ok. I'm up my parents today so I'll take a look and the brakes.

Kind regards

Paul

 

[Dennis_374341737]

Hi Eddie and everyone kind enough to respond, and NO the motor mover was definitely not engaged! As a beginner it would have been the sort of thing I would have done prevously. When the van wouldnt move I checked both the hand brake and the mover but neither had been engaged. The fact that the mover pulled the van badly to the left to me signified a braking problem on the van. Thanks again, I have requested Davans to come and check it out for me...Dennis & Hilary

 

[antrimboy]

Many thanks for coming back to us Dennis. Hope you manage to get it sorted soon, and also that you'll keep us informed of the outcome.

 

[JTQ]

Dennis,

An additional comment about movers that might be obvious but if its not then it will help your understanding on how to operate them: Apologies if its obvious to you.

Single axle movers of all the makes offered to us take the easiest option. Therefore if driving forwards or backwards with both units driving and one wheel comes to a kerb or other significant resistance that wheel will stop or slow right down.

Then what tends to happen is the van starts to skew round that "stuck" wheel as the other wheel continues to drive. The control system are not smart in that regard, there is no true speed control. In reality when operating together they work just like a differential axle, if one unit has an easier life that's where the power goes..

If this happens then experiences tells you either to just power the "stuck" wheel or use your body to stop the van skewing. The later course probably being best suited where there is only a minor difference in the gradients encountered by each wheel. For real high effort situations driving only the "stuck" wheel and pushing hard sideways on the hitch to in effect lever around the stationary other wheel helps