Twin axle motor mover

[Robtel]

Hi all,

Hoping some one can give advice or guidance on this topic.

We currently have a single axle van with a powrtouch mover fitted and are considering changing to a twin axle van. If the deal goes ahead I would want to fit a mover to the new van. I have had a look at the powrtouch website and see that they have two types of movers for twin axles - one which drives two wheels and another which drives all four wheels, there is a price difference of about £300.

What version of mover do others use on twin axle vans and what are your opinions about the capabilities (or lack of them) of the the two wheel drive version?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Robert

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Robert

We have had Powrtouch mover on Bailey Senator Wyoming for 18 months, fitted to front 2 wheels, it moves the van fine, even last weekend pulled it off a very wet grass pitch at Cirencester Park, the only shortfall that I can see is that it will not turn the TA in a circle, the 4 wheel version may be better if you need to turn your van in a small area,we use 85ah battery, only problem has been when battery in hand set ran out, and then we used the lead supplied and again it worked perfectly.

 

[eriskay]

Hi Robert

We have had Powrtouch mover on Bailey Senator Wyoming for 18 months, fitted to front 2 wheels, it moves the van fine, even last weekend pulled it off a very wet grass pitch at Cirencester Park, the only shortfall that I can see is that it will not turn the TA in a circle, the 4 wheel version may be better if you need to turn your van in a small area,we use 85ah battery, only problem has been when battery in hand set ran out, and then we used the lead supplied and again it worked perfectly.

Hi Keith I have just ordered a twin axle Charisma620 I am in the process of selling my power mover of my old single axle van , what model of mover do you recomend for twin . Is it pow/touch model 4 for tw axle. thanks Brian.

 

[Chris_5133652]

Hi Robert

We have a Reich mover on our twin axle and really is a great gadget. I liked it so much I wrote a review!

http://www.busyoutdoors.com/caravanning_reviews/Reich_Twin_Axle_Caravan_Mover_Review.html

 

[Robtel]

Thanks Keith and Chris for your replies. It looks as though it may have to be the four wheel version as my main problem is when taking it out of my drive, to save going on to a very busy road then reversing back into narrow private road I turn my current van in its own length on the narrow road in front off the house. Don't know if that makes sense to you seeing as you will not know the geography of the land about the house!

Just out of interest I see that Powrtouch have announced on their website some new "Innovations" to be put into production early next year re movers for single and twin axle vans. As its going to around March before my new van is delivered I will hold on a bit before deciding which make and model to go for.

Robert

 

[woodsieboy]

Reply for Swiftman

Hi Brian,

The mover we have is described as Powrtouch Twin Model 4, hope this helps.

 

[eriskay]

Reply for Swiftman

Hi Brian,

The mover we have is described as Powrtouch Twin Model 4, hope this helps.

Thanks Keith thats the one I was looking at . Brian

 

[Geoff_5120515]

Rob

We had a Powrtouch twin axle mover fitted to our Lunar Lexon EW from newand it worked quite well until it started playing up! 4 electronics boxes, 1 motor, a complete re-wire and a free upgrade to a 4 wheel drive system later Powrtouch have now agreed to a complete cash refund and free removal of the system from the van after I lost patience with constant failures. When it did work the 4 wheel drive system was very effective and far better at turning the van, especially on a slight incline, than the 2 wheel drive. The 4 wheel system really scrubs the tyres a lot more than the 2 wheel system as it seems to turn the van through a tigher radius. No difference when driving straight forwards & backwards. At one of the call-outs the service engineer removed the cross-actuation bar from the older unit(fitted to the rear wheels) as they had to reduce the distance between the units and the tyres to get better grip. The load to apply the mover was then too high to be applied from one side only. Funny that they fitted the bar to the front axle system ! Someone told me that they had had a problem with the shaft locking pins shearing and have since changed to a woodruff key system which is stronger.

Dont forget that the 30kgs or so for a 2 wheel drive mover will be doubled for a 4 wheel drive system. You will definately need a 110ah battery as you will be driving 4 motors which will probably also reduce the distance it can travel. The 4 wheel system was controlled by a single remote unit but both electronics boxes would have to be connected to the handset in areas of radio interference. If you are likely to have a grounding problem this problem may be doubled by having 2 systems fitted. The 2 wheel drive system worked better if you could raise the jockey wheel as high as possible to take some of the load off the front axle.

I have now modified the side fence by the house so that I can reverse the van into position with the car but I will still intend to have another 2 wheel mover fitted (probably a Rhyno) just to be able to move the van mechanically. Although the Lexon is quite light, as twin axles go, they are renowned to be a bit 'awkwards' to move manually, especially single handed.

Cant fault Powrtouch's service and no quibble guarantee but I would like a reliable unit rather than good service back-up.

Hope this helps.

PS Powrtouch may have a second hand 4 wheel system for sale in a couple of weeks - mine!!

 

[Geoff_5120515]

Hi again Rob

 

[Geoff_5120515]

Just seen your comments about you manoeuvres to get you have to go through to get your van out of your drive - even with a 4 wheel drive mover you will not be able to turn a twin axle in its own length. You will be lucky if you can make a 90 degree turn in its own length. As both sets of wheels are being driven forwards, the van will move in a arc - like a car. Having spoken to Simon Cooper(the MD at Rhyno 02476 387080) he says that his system moves the outer wheels forwards and pulses the inner backwards. If this is the case - in theory - it should reduce the turning circle and help the van pivot more easily. Either way, when turning a sharp corner I always gave the tyres a rest by driving the van straight for a couple of feet as I did not like the way they scrubbed, which was much more acentuated with the 4 wheel drive system. Another benefit of the 4 wheel drive system is if you have to drive over a kerb at an angle - when one wheel momentarily lifts off the ground you still have a straight line drive by means of the other 3 driven wheels still being in contact with thr ground - the 2 wheel system 'lurches' until the drive is regained.

 

[Robtel]

Geoff,

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated. The road in front of my house where I need to turn the van is approx 7m or 8m just about the same lenght as the van. Even with the single axle it is more of a three point turn rather than a complete one off movement. Fortunately there is no fence or such like in front garden so the rear of the van can overhang the garden as it turns. I don't get the van till early next year so I have enought time to have a look at different makes and models to see what might be the best.

You mentioned you had been in contact with Rhyno, are you planning to get one of their movers? if so once you have tried it could you let me know what your opinion of it is.

Thanks

Robert

 

[Robtel]

Geoff,

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated. The road in front of my house where I need to turn the van is approx 7m or 8m just about the same lenght as the van. Even with the single axle it is more of a three point turn rather than a complete one off movement. Fortunately there is no fence or such like in front garden so the rear of the van can overhang the garden as it turns. I don't get the van till early next year so I have enought time to have a look at different makes and models to see what might be the best.

You mentioned you had been in contact with Rhyno, are you planning to get one of their movers? if so once you have tried it could you let me know what your opinion of it is.

Thanks

Robert

That should read... road is 7 or 8 metres wide..

 

[David_374301039]

Hi Geoff, The pulsing as mentioned by the Ryno MD also occurs on the Powertouch movers. This is so that the rollers on the non driving wheels are not stopping the wheels from turning. When turning the van only two motors are doing any work, both on the same side, the other two will pulse. As you said, it is advisable to drive the van in a straight line as you are turning because the tyres splay out therefor you will never get a good turning circle on a twin axal van. I have four wheel drive on my wyoming.

Regards David

 

[David_374301039]

One other thing, if you have the four movers fitted you will have to move your spare wheel carrier. I did my own but Powrtouch do a bracket for this.

Regards David

 

[Robtel]

David,

What is the ground clearance like? is it the same as the single axle version?

Thanks

Robert

 

[Geoff_5120515]

Rob & David

The Powrtouch is being removed today (again good service from Powrtouch)and I am inclined towards the Rhyno for the following reasons:-

Reich - ground clearance seems to be an issue according to other correspondants

Truma - good unit but expensive and service seems to be an issue and warranty seems only to be 2 years unless you pay more to extend to 5 years.

Motor Mover - talking to thier MD Micheal Sage seems very similar to Rhyno but a little bit more expensive. They seem to use the same components (mostly British not Chinese like Powrtouch)- apparently they were the first in the market 20 years ago hence everyone calls the 'motor movers'

Rhyno say that they fit the unit first then take your money when they, and you, are satisfied that the unit works OK, (Powrtouch never actaully tested the unit by getting the caravan off the drive) Apparently they can also 'tune' the electronics to overcome problematic situations.

So Rhyno it is! especially as now I have modified the fence on the side of the house and can reverse the van into position I now only want the mover as a back-up.

I will check with Rhyno again about the 'inside' rollers pulsing in the reverse direction to the main driving rollers.

I kept my spare in the front locker so no need for an underslung carrier - noseweight was still OK even with 2 13kg gas cylinders in the locker as well.

Ground clearance of the front axle unit is the same as the rear axle unit (as they are exactly the same) UNLESS your van is slightly 'nose down' when towing, then the front unit is very slightly lower to the ground

 

[David_374301039]

Hi Geoff, I had mine fitted in the car park at Tanner Farm in Kent and when the fitter had finished he gave me a comprehensive demonstration. Have used it a couple of times since May ,in Spain,and no problems at all. If I do, I will be back and let you all know.I did ask the fitter if the pulsing movers drove the wheels and he said no. It is just to stop them binding on the wheels, but that is Powrtouch movers.

Regards David

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Geoff,

I have read your post of 24th (11:24) and I am slightly confused regarding some information you have included.

You imply that Rhyno were the first in the market place with a motor mover. If they were the first then it was only an 'A' frame mover rather than a main axle driven unit .

The first axle driven mover was developed by Mr. Carver of Carver and Co Engineers Ltd. I saw and was invited to try the prototype, that was fitted to a Castleton caravan.

 

[David_374301039]

Hi Robert, just a thought, can't you use your existing movers and add another set for your twin axal? Worth looking into.

Regards David

 

[Robtel]

David,

Would love to be able to say " yes thought of that but..", the honest answer is though I hadn't thought of that!

Thinking about it now though if I take into account the extra I have been offered for leaving the mover on in the part exchange plus the cost of having it moved plus cost of another mover would not be far short of the cost of new four wheel drive model.

Just as a note of interest for anyone in similar position. I have been in contact with powrtouch regarding the new "Innovation" range they are introducing next year. They have sent a dvd showing the new single axle version in action. Seems quite powerful, not only was it moving a caravan but also the powrtouch transit van that had been towing it. No prices available yet but will still have the 5 year guarantee. Worth a look for anyone thinking about a mover for next year.

Thanks again for all input

Robert

 

[Del_374232870]

We had a Powertouch 4 heavy duty model fitted to our single axle Lexon. When we changed to a twin axle Delta we checked with Powertouch and the unit was suitable for transfering to the twin axle, all we needed was a new control box , rollers and remote, total cost

 

[Robtel]

Del,

It's the powrtouch model 3 which we currently have, that's suitable for vans up to 1500kg, the new van will be heavier than that. According to powrtouch website the model 4 which you had is the two wheel drive twin axle version.

 

[Geoff_5120515]

Hello Geoff,

I have read your post of 24th (11:24) and I am slightly confused regarding some information you have included.

You imply that Rhyno were the first in the market place with a motor mover. If they were the first then it was only an 'A' frame mover rather than a main axle driven unit .

The first axle driven mover was developed by Mr. Carver of Carver and Co Engineers Ltd. I saw and was invited to try the prototype, that was fitted to a Castleton caravan.

I said that Michael Sage of MD of Moter Movers claimed that they were first about 20 years ago - give him a call 01335 345494

 

[Del_374232870]

Hi Rob

Our model 4 is the the two wheel drive version, originally we had it fitted to our single axle Lexon. Whilst the Lexon was only 1300kg we opted for the heavy duty model capable of up to 1800kg to allow for future van changes. Currently fitted in front of the 1st axle it has no problems moving the van. accepted it wont turn the twin on its axis as with a single axle, but we have used it to maneuverer the van into some awkward pitches.

 

[Robtel]

Thanks for your input Del. I have wondered about the difference in performance between two wheel drive versions and four wheel drive. Apparently four wheel is better on rougher ground or when going over a kerb as there is always at least one wheel which is being driven in contact with the ground.

Have you encountered any problems with a driven wheel being slightly raised off the ground and van either slewing round or stop moving?

Thanks

Robert