Any Recommendations for fitting Motor Mover to Box Trailer! (1 Viewer)

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
Thought i would do a separate thread for this as i did mention it in my other thread but i think it has got lost in all the replies.

I am looking at purchasing a box trailer and could do with some advice on how and who best to fit a similar device to it like the caravan motor movers. I know some people on here have done their own but i am useless at DIY so will need to pay someone to supply it and do it.

At present the trailer i am thinking of purchasing is a Debon Cargo C300 as it looks to be cheapest for the size i need £2695, so it will need to be fitted to this. Alternatively is there anything else that can be used to make things easier when uncoupling and moving. The weight of the trailer and motorbike within will be around 1ton, having never owned a trailer before i have no idea how difficult this is going to be to move on uneven surfaces (grass/gravel/inclines). I have seen many devices on the internet like the tugco/mr shifta but most say they are ok at best with useless being said by a lot. I dont have a great back so whatever i can do to alleviate this will be money well spent in the long run.

Anyone actually used any of these or similar as be good to get some real world experiences from people that have them.

Also i have called one company about fitting a motor mover and at present they are quoting around £850 for the enduro 2 if it can be done is this cheap?

Thanks in advance.
Zac
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,696
147,628
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
You can get a Broken Link Removed supply only for under £500, don't know much about them, but they have been around for over 10 years. You would be better to post on a few caravan forums.
You might have a problem fitting to your chassis, most are made to fit the Al-Ko & B&B caravan chassis.

Edit:
Just noticed the Enduro is a Purpleline one, Broken Link Removed advertised fitted for £655.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zac

Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
36,191
128,631
Sutton on Sea, UK
Funster No
1
MH
Adria Panel Van.
Exp
Since 1988
You will be able to fit them easily enough, plenty do, but I doubt you'll get away without having to do a bit of fabrication on the chassis. (y)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
You can get a Broken Link Removed supply only for under £500, don't know much about them, but they have been around for over 10 years. You would be better to post on a few caravan forums.
You might have a problem fitting to your chassis, most are made to fit the Al-Ko & B&B caravan chassis.

Edit:
Just noticed the Enduro is a Purpleline one, Broken Link Removed advertised fitted for £655.

All the quotations i have seen are for fitting to caravan, there seems to be very few companies that quote a bespoke fit. I did look at the towsure one but not knowing anything about then i thought i would need to find a company with the ability to make up the brackets, I just dont know of any.

You will be able to fit them easily enough, plenty do, but I doubt you'll get away without having to do a bit of fabrication on the chassis. (y)

I wont be able to fit it as i am useless at DIY, i will need to pay someone to do it :(
 

Mel

Free Member
Oct 6, 2012
2,131
2,810
De Haan Belgium
Funster No
23,175
MH
Caravan LMC
Exp
Since 2010 Caravan since 1995
There is a UK firm Powre movers I think they sold out not sure.
5 year warranty fitting at home.
I had one on a caravan fantastic mover.
When I had a motor problem they sent the new parts to Belgium.
Before even seeing the old parts for warrenty.
Great service
But if they have sold out I dont know if the service is still the same
Might be worth having a solar panel on the trailer to charge the battery
Mel
 
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
There is a UK firm Powre movers I think they sold out not sure.
5 year warranty fitting at home.
I had one on a caravan fantastic mover.
When I had a motor problem they sent the new parts to Belgium.
Before even seeing the old parts for warrenty.
Great service
But if they have sold out I dont know if the service is still the same
Might be worth having a solar panel on the trailer to charge the battery
Mel

I was thinking as it is a box trailer that a battery can be fitted and then just charged as park of the electrics when towing. I could do with a firm that will install these on tailers as opposed to caravans as because they are designed for them all you see if rightly so for that purpose. As Jim mentioned this will need plates making as it is not a standard install and there is no way i can do that lol :)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Mel

Free Member
Oct 6, 2012
2,131
2,810
De Haan Belgium
Funster No
23,175
MH
Caravan LMC
Exp
Since 2010 Caravan since 1995
Any mover fitter should be able to fit it on any chassis.
They only clamp on to the chassis
Charging should be ok as you said.
Mel
 
  • Like
Reactions: zac
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
Any mover fitter should be able to fit it on any chassis.
They only clamp on to the chassis
Charging should be ok as you said.
Mel

Totally agree in theory, it is just being able to find recommended companies that wont take the p**s in terms of cost. I am happy to pay but if i can get a mover for around £500 at present i am being quoted £850 to supply and fit which means they are charging £350 to fit it which i think is quite a lot.
 

Mel

Free Member
Oct 6, 2012
2,131
2,810
De Haan Belgium
Funster No
23,175
MH
Caravan LMC
Exp
Since 2010 Caravan since 1995
Totally agree in theory, it is just being able to find recommended companies that wont take the p**s in terms of cost. I am happy to pay but if i can get a mover for around £500 at present i am being quoted £850 to supply and fit which means they are charging £350 to fit it which i think is quite a lot.


Thats too much to fit it
Just had a thought what about Johns cross
http://www.johnscross.co.uk/
And you get funster discount

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Like
Reactions: zac
Apr 21, 2009
546
34,642
East Cowes, PO32 6RU
Funster No
6,386
MH
Caravan
Exp
Caravan since 1970, motorhome or RV since 1999 then back to a caravan in 2017.
Suggest you have a look at

http://www.powrwheel.com/

they do bespoke fittings and mention Burger Vans amongst others.

I bought a

http://www.towsure.com/towsure-move...4&cadevice=c&gclid=CKSq_KTGl8oCFda4GwoduNIO6A

because it was cheapest and had no trouble fitting it once I had decided where to fit the battery and charger.

http://www.caravanmoversonline.co.uk/

is useful for comparison but given the weight of your trailer I would go for cheapness as you are not going to strain it. I use ours to move the fully laiden trailer (748Kg on the scales) up two 4 feet long wooden ramps that rise 1 foot from the garden to the drive. 1 in 4 or 25%.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zac
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
I forgot about asking John Cross, i will take a look at the others as well, i would expect to pay around £150 to fit depending what has to be done of course. I suppose it would be better when I get the trailer but i want to make sure i can do something with it before i outlay the expense etc.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mel

maxi77

Free Member
Mar 20, 2013
892
560
Kingdom of Fife
Funster No
25,172
MH
coacbuilt
Exp
newbie
Caravan movers are designed to fit the specialist chassis types used on caravans which have standard location holes in the steel. To fit one to a trailer chassis you would have to ensure compatibility, perhaps speak to the service department at your local caravan dealer who will have experience of fitting them. An alternative is to look at a motorised jockey wheel. not as powerful or fast but still effective. I have used one on a 1500 kg van with good results. It would of course need a chrged up 12v battery as would the full mover.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Like
Reactions: zac

ambulancekidd

Funster
Sep 23, 2014
10,303
28,339
Ayrshire Scotland
Funster No
33,478
MH
Swift Kon-Tiki 640
Exp
Since 1964 Gosh that makes me feel old.
I was a fitting & repair engineer for Powrtouch caravan & trailer motor movers. A modern trailer would be easy to fit a mover to & the going rate for fitting should be 100 pounds or less. Try having a wee look on Ebay, a lot of fitting guys advertise on there. My advice is to go for a quality product such as Powrtouch Evolution with manual engagement. The auto engage ones tend to be troublesome & are more trouble than they're worth.

If I can be of assistance, please feel free to pm me..Robert.
 
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
Caravan movers are designed to fit the specialist chassis types used on caravans which have standard location holes in the steel. To fit one to a trailer chassis you would have to ensure compatibility, perhaps speak to the service department at your local caravan dealer who will have experience of fitting them. An alternative is to look at a motorised jockey wheel. not as powerful or fast but still effective. I have used one on a 1500 kg van with good results. It would of course need a chrged up 12v battery as would the full mover.

I have thought about a motorised jockey wheel but from what i can see they dont seem to be of much use when on anything other than flat ground.

I was a fitting & repair engineer for Powrtouch caravan & trailer motor movers. A modern trailer would be easy to fit a mover to & the going rate for fitting should be 100 pounds or less. Try having a wee look on Ebay, a lot of fitting guys advertise on there. My advice is to go for a quality product such as Powrtouch Evolution with manual engagement. The auto engage ones tend to be troublesome & are more trouble than they're worth.

If I can be of assistance, please feel free to pm me..Robert.

I am waiting on a quote from powrtouch as they do a bespoke fitting but they are not sure at present. Is the evolution worth the extra over the classic?

The fitting is a problem as all quotes are based on standard fitting to a caravan. I need someone who will be able to make up the brackets needed to fit this but at a reasonable price. If i can find someone to do it at around £100 i would jump at it :)
 
Jul 24, 2009
4,324
103,186
South Yorkshire
Funster No
7,631
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 1999
If it is a channel or Z section chassis the mover should clamp straight on to it.

Also get a pneumatic jockey wheel or you just might find yourself ploughing furrows when you start manouevering.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jul 29, 2013
9,048
18,087
Salisbury
Funster No
27,215
MH
Hymer B678DL A class
Exp
since 2011
I have got a twin wheeled car transporter to take our Fiat Panda I was looking to fit the movers but thought they were very expensive so I bought a small winch I fitted it to the trailer a frame and when getting to a pitch usually find something to anchor it on to pull trailer where I want it. I use a Clark power pack to run the winch,which is very handy as you can use for jump start as well and recharge when on hook up.
 
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
If it is a channel or Z section chassis the mover should clamp straight on to it.

Also get a pneumatic jockey wheel or you just might find yourself ploughing furrows when you start manouevering.

Forgive the ignorance but why a pneumatic jockey? this is probably obvious to most but i have no idea not used to towing trailers.
 
Jul 29, 2013
9,048
18,087
Salisbury
Funster No
27,215
MH
Hymer B678DL A class
Exp
since 2011
Forgive the ignorance but why a pneumatic jockey? this is probably obvious to most but i have no idea not used to towing trailers.
A tyre that you pump up

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Like
Reactions: zac
Jul 24, 2009
4,324
103,186
South Yorkshire
Funster No
7,631
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 1999
Forgive the ignorance but why a pneumatic jockey? this is probably obvious to most but i have no idea not used to towing trailers.
The solid jockey wheels are quite narrow and will dig in especially on soft surfaces, including gravel, whereas pneumatic tyres are a wider profile and ride on the surface better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zac
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
The solid jockey wheels are quite narrow and will dig in especially on soft surfaces, including gravel, whereas pneumatic tyres are a wider profile and ride one the surface better.

Thanks for the advice, i will ensure i get one.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Mr B

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 1, 2015
989
1,889
Yorkshire
Funster No
34,968
MH
Rapido 7065ff Design Edit
Exp
Since 2015.......
Here you go ...
Broken Link Removed
 

Mr B

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 1, 2015
989
1,889
Yorkshire
Funster No
34,968
MH
Rapido 7065ff Design Edit
Exp
Since 2015.......
That would be ok if it included fitting to trailer but its fitting on a caravan.

Give em a ring, like someone else has said, they fit to the chassis, so it would be easy :)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Like
Reactions: zac

ambulancekidd

Funster
Sep 23, 2014
10,303
28,339
Ayrshire Scotland
Funster No
33,478
MH
Swift Kon-Tiki 640
Exp
Since 1964 Gosh that makes me feel old.
The Powrtouch Evolution practically never goes wrong, but the Classic can be guilty of having faulty motors. The Classic uses generic motors that is to say the same motors as most other motormover companies. The Powrtouch warranty is truly no quibble but once you've owned a mover for 5 yrs the warranty runs out & if your mover gets through a motor, you need to buy another motor plus the fitting costs. I no longer do work for Powrtouch so can give a warts & all report, but to be fair, their products are second to none, their management on the other hand well, lets not go there lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zac
Jun 6, 2012
1,132
1,528
Leeds
Funster No
21,344
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2012
I'm speaking from experience as I have a number of different trailers, granted all classed as 'smart car' trailers as I use them with Smarts and Toyota IQ's but every one would require fabricating brackets to bolt the motor mover brackets onto. There are very few trailers where a motor mover can simply be bolted into the chassis as they require the L shape profile (which is what at Alko chassis on a caravan provides) but not on a trailer.

These are the brackets I fabricated when I fitted the truma auto engage system to one of my trailers:

image.jpeg


image.jpeg


image.jpeg


image.jpeg


image.jpeg


image.jpeg


image.jpeg


There are many set measurements which need to be taken into account for example the minimum required between the road and motor mover etc and the vast majority of trailer chassis don't allow for a straight bolt on and away you go. Also the mud guard brackets needed more fabricating to allow the rollers to engage onto the tyres at the correct place (20mm either way from the centre of the wheel).

Then there is all the electrics as the controller needs to be kept dry so unlike a caravan there is very little option where to place it on a trailer so I mounted mine in a IP56 rated box mounted in the middle of the trailer. I'll take some pics later if anyone is interested. Then there is the battery to mount, cut off switch, charging sockets for when on the move and also a 240v charger for when on site.

I've a lot more pictures I can share but from personal experience id say fitting only would cost in the region of £500 to £750. There is ALOT of work, measuring, fabricating, painting, aluminium metal work for control box, battery box etc.

It's an investment for a lot of years and to me it's worth it.

Regards David.
 
OP
OP
Z

zac

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 19, 2013
2,582
1,799
Basingstoke
Funster No
29,076
MH
Rapido A CLass 10000
Exp
since 2013
Thanks for the extensive reply. I was thinking along the same lines at regards to extra brackets being made. Are you saying that for fitting only it will cost £500-£750 without the mover as well as if so I think I will leave it as that will put it well over £1200.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top