Motor mover or not.....

billandelaine replied on 17/08/2020 16:18

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

 

EmilysDad replied on 25/08/2020 11:34

Posted on 25/08/2020 10:55 by davetommo

I release the handbrake because I have known the bakes on a trailer to stick on more than one occasion when the handbrake is left on. For that reason that is why I chock the wheels.

Posted on 25/08/2020 11:34

I always leave the caravan hand brake and up until last week have never had a problem, however last week I hitched up to drive around the block to allow for cars to be moved etc. The towcar never got out of 1st gear & was 'struggling' .... I pulled up at the side of the road & pulled the handbrake on & off a few times & all was sorted.  👍 Maybe I should have reversed a little before I pulled the caravan from my drive in the first place ... 🤔

Amesford replied on 29/08/2020 09:29

Posted on 29/08/2020 09:29

If you do get one and use a hard standing when leaving your pitch move it forward slightly and brush off any gravel/stone chips off the tyre that have become stuck during your stay as it won't do your tyres or rollers much good 

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