Motor mover or not.....

billandelaine replied on 17/08/2020 16:18

billandelaine

Posted on 17/08/2020 16:18

Hallo. We've just bought our first ever caravan, a Swift Challenger 480 (single axle, twin-berth), and are facing the prospect of bringing it home as soon as the towbar is fitted to the car (BMW X3). We have space to store it OK, its just how we get the van into it, as there's not enough space to reverse it in while hooked up, so it means we will have to unhitch on a 1 in 15 slope, spin around through 180 degrees and run it 6-7 metres down the slope onto the flat apron that it will sit on.

I think we should be OK getting it out as there is just about room enough to hook it up to the car.

The van is just over 1000kg - is that sort of manoeuvre on that slope do-able by a couple of able bodied people, or should I invest in a motor mover? Bit worried by the "on or off" handbrake as it means I can't control the rate of descent. The thoughts of you experienced people would be gratefully received.

Thanks

43 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 17/08/2020 16:36

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 17/08/2020 16:36

A M/M would get my vote every time. Relying on brute strength is not a great idea.

3 people like this

davetommo replied on 17/08/2020 16:39

Member

davetommo

Motorhomer

Posted on 17/08/2020 16:39

Get a mover it’s so much easier. And don’t take any notice of the I can reverse it anywhere brigade. As an ex artic driver, many years ago I will admit, I consider myself proficient at reversing with the caravan on but with a mover you gave that much more control.

6 people like this

replied on 17/08/2020 16:48

Posted on 17/08/2020 16:48

At 50 I would have done it on my own if the one in 13 was down hill - not up.

Personally I would have used mover

1 person likes this

lornalou1 replied on 17/08/2020 16:54

lornalou1

Caravanner

Posted on 17/08/2020 16:54

You may be able bodied now but after the first slip you may not be. MM for me.

4 people like this

SteveL replied on 17/08/2020 16:56

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 17/08/2020 16:56

I would get a mover. We couldn't have got ours in or out of its storage space without one. Agree re controlling its descent, it could end in tears. One point I would make is that of getting it off the tow ball on a slope. The few times I tried that it was quite difficult, as the ball would not disengage from the hitch.

2 people like this

Rufs replied on 17/08/2020 17:17

Member

Rufs

Caravanner

Posted on 17/08/2020 17:17

after driving 96 seater double decker bus with rear wheel steer and a luggage trailer attached, i thought i was a professional driver, but never have been able to master reversing a caravan, mover every time for me and not a bit embarrassed when using it, and yes trying to unhitch on a slope could be quite difficult. It also saves burning out the clutch, if you have to use the car.

3 people like this