Does anyone have experience of, or indeed any thoughts/views on the camper trolly caravan mover as advertised on page 63 of the latest caravan club magazine. Initial observations, looks like it could be a good viable alternative to the conventional permanent caravan movers. Any views?
The Camper Trolley caravan mover.
- Thread starter Bay343
- Start date
To be honest I'd never heard of it. Having just looked at it online I would think it would be ok on the flat but I wouldn't trust it on our sloping drive.
I do believe that you have to have quite a heavy noseweight for it to have ny great effect on a slight slope.
Hello Bay,
Let me first say that I have absolutely no connection with Camper trolley or any selling agents, what follows are simply my observations.
I have seen something very similar a coupe of years ago, perhaps it was the same thing, I’m not sure, however it is an interesting product.
One of the issues with the conventional A frame mover (Replacing jockey wheel or attached to hitch) is the lack of down force on the driven wheel, which limits their maximum grip. This is a problem on slopes and slippy surfaces
It usually helps to have as much weight in the device as possible, as this adds to the down force and therefore grip.
The Camper Trolley seems to have it own internal batteries, but they seem to be of a small size, which means they can't add a great deal of weight to the device. However the fact that the device is attached nearer the main axle, means it gets considerably more down force from the leverage action of the caravans Centre of Mass. This compensates somewhat for the smaller battery system.
Another primary disadvantage of typical A frame mover is the relatively small diameter of the driven wheel, which means it also has less contact area with the ground. Both these features mean they not suited to muddy or gravel conditions. The Camper trolley has large contact area tracks, which means although the down force will be greater, its spread over a larger area and will not sink so easily into soft ground.
The size and weight of the device makes it relatively easy to carry and position, in fact it looks to be much easier to attach than most of the a frame movers. Being easily detachable means it does not eat up the caravans available payload so much as does as axle mover.
Having watched the online video’s of the device, it does strike me as being quite slow compared to most axle movers, which may become a nuisance in some circumstances. Its speed does not surprise me, as to achieve the required drawbar force to move a caravan, and considering the size of the systems batteries, there can’t be massive currents available from the battery, so to compensate the motor needs to be highly geared hence the reduced speed.
It seems to be an effective halfway house between the traditional A frame and Axle mounted movers. Although it purchase price may be high, the fitting costs are minimal, and it is very easily transferred between trailers.
It will be interesting to see as the product is taken up by users to see comments and progress reports from them.
Hi Nessey, and your windyship
Inclines and grip is always an issue, and the bigger the down force the better for grip. Provided the device is fitted closer to the body or even under it, the down force could be considerably greater than for hitch mounted movers, simply because of the mechanics of the levers (distance x force). But still not as good as for axle mounted units.
Let me first say that I have absolutely no connection with Camper trolley or any selling agents, what follows are simply my observations.
I have seen something very similar a coupe of years ago, perhaps it was the same thing, I’m not sure, however it is an interesting product.
One of the issues with the conventional A frame mover (Replacing jockey wheel or attached to hitch) is the lack of down force on the driven wheel, which limits their maximum grip. This is a problem on slopes and slippy surfaces
It usually helps to have as much weight in the device as possible, as this adds to the down force and therefore grip.
The Camper Trolley seems to have it own internal batteries, but they seem to be of a small size, which means they can't add a great deal of weight to the device. However the fact that the device is attached nearer the main axle, means it gets considerably more down force from the leverage action of the caravans Centre of Mass. This compensates somewhat for the smaller battery system.
Another primary disadvantage of typical A frame mover is the relatively small diameter of the driven wheel, which means it also has less contact area with the ground. Both these features mean they not suited to muddy or gravel conditions. The Camper trolley has large contact area tracks, which means although the down force will be greater, its spread over a larger area and will not sink so easily into soft ground.
The size and weight of the device makes it relatively easy to carry and position, in fact it looks to be much easier to attach than most of the a frame movers. Being easily detachable means it does not eat up the caravans available payload so much as does as axle mover.
Having watched the online video’s of the device, it does strike me as being quite slow compared to most axle movers, which may become a nuisance in some circumstances. Its speed does not surprise me, as to achieve the required drawbar force to move a caravan, and considering the size of the systems batteries, there can’t be massive currents available from the battery, so to compensate the motor needs to be highly geared hence the reduced speed.
It seems to be an effective halfway house between the traditional A frame and Axle mounted movers. Although it purchase price may be high, the fitting costs are minimal, and it is very easily transferred between trailers.
It will be interesting to see as the product is taken up by users to see comments and progress reports from them.
Hi Nessey, and your windyship
Inclines and grip is always an issue, and the bigger the down force the better for grip. Provided the device is fitted closer to the body or even under it, the down force could be considerably greater than for hitch mounted movers, simply because of the mechanics of the levers (distance x force). But still not as good as for axle mounted units.
I've been considering getting a mover and was quite interested when I saw that advert.
But then it hit me how relatively big the thing is - you have to find space for it in the car or caravan and it doesn't look like a lightweight piece of kit either
. I've got enough equipment to move around already...can't see it selling well...
But then it hit me how relatively big the thing is - you have to find space for it in the car or caravan and it doesn't look like a lightweight piece of kit either
Besides the many questions about it's use I'd be struggling for grip at around 900 quid.
Looking at it I'd have gone for 2-300 quid, in which case it would be extremely interesting.
At around 900 quid a go, axle type movers would be looking more of a proposition.
Sedo
Looking at it I'd have gone for 2-300 quid, in which case it would be extremely interesting.
At around 900 quid a go, axle type movers would be looking more of a proposition.
Sedo
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