Caravan Motor Mover: What Is It and Do You Need One?

Owning a caravan is meant to be an enjoyable experience. However, a few things can make it more of a chore than a hobby. One such problem is when you are manoeuvring the caravan into a tight spot. Think of your driveway, or the pitch that now seems a little overcrowded, for example. Where you might hope for a smooth move into the desired space, you are instead met with a stop, start, jerky action that either takes an eternity to complete or leads to an unfortunate accident.

Luckily, a caravan motor mover can help. For those new to caravanning or considering a leap into the hobby, you might be questioning what a motor mover is, what it does, and whether it is worth the investment. In this blog, we’ll answer all those questions, so you can start enjoying your caravan experience with a little less stress and a lot more fun.

What is a caravan motor mover?

A motor mover for a caravan is a motorised device that fits onto the chassis of your caravan. Operated by remote control, it clamps onto the wheels and ensures smooth movement forwards, backwards, left or right. This means you can then position your caravan exactly where it needs to be without the need to lean out of a car window and struggle with turning angles or obstacles. Instead, with your caravan unhitched from your car, you direct it exactly where you need it to be with a push of a button, removing the possibility of accidents or issues.

Do I need a motor mover?

That depends. It all comes down to how you use and park your caravan. If, for example, you have a huge driveway that doesn’t have a slope, and you always stay on large camp sites, you most likely won’t need a motor mover. However, even these advantages can sometimes mean a motor mover is still a worthwhile investment.

If you travel frequently and enjoy a variety of campsites, a motor mover may well be necessary. You’d hate to turn up and find a site crowded more than usual and spaces difficult to squeeze into. Likewise, a site with plenty of space can still present problems, especially if you are travelling solo and require a little guidance when turning your caravan into a space.

Overall, you’ll be better off with a caravan motor mover if any of the following apply:

• Your driveway is narrow or sloped.
• You frequently go on solo trips.
• You store your caravan in a crowded storage yard.
• You have difficulty parking or moving your caravan in muddy conditions

With easy-to-use controls, parking soon becomes a simple exercise rather than a complicated chore.

What motor mover do I need?

There are different motor movers for caravans, and it is worth taking note of this when purchasing a motor mover. You’ll need to consider the weight of your caravan and whether it’s a single or twin-axle variant.

For single-axle caravans, a standard motor mover should be more than suitable. You can find these in both manual and automatic versions. Simply apply one to each wheel and that’s it.

If you own a twin-axle caravan, you might need to consider a four-motor system. This will give you added control on slopes and provide better traction when on surfaces like gravel.

It is worth noting that whatever motor mover you require, it will add additional bulk to your caravan. If you are stocking up for a long trip, this added load could see you exceed your maximum allowable load and lead to issues with your caravan and the vehicle towing it.

How to use a motor mover

Using a motor mover is a simple process. In fact, it is far simpler than trying to reverse into a space. Pull up as close as possible to where you need to park your caravan.

• Unhitch the caravan from your towing vehicle. (Remember to lower the jockey wheel and put cables and leads away safely.)
• Move your towing vehicle out of the way. (How far will depend on how much you need to move your caravan to park it properly)
• Get the remote for your motor mover, double-checking that it is powered up.
• Turn the large master switch for the mover in the battery locker to “on”. (This switch is often red and may resemble a key.)
• Move the motor mover onto your caravan. (The way to do this depends on whether you have an auto or manual motor mover, so check your user manual!)
• Walk around your caravan to check for obstacles and remove them if you can.
• Release the handbrake for the mover.
• Using the remote control, steer your caravan into place. Do this slowly so you can check that your caravan is aligned correctly.
• Once parked in place, apply the handbrake and then disengage the rollers of the motor mover.
• Turn off the red power switch we mentioned earlier and store your remote control away. You’ve now parked your caravan!

How much will a caravan motor mover cost?

The cost of a motor mover for a caravan can range from £1,000 to well over £2,000. Much depends on whether you have a single-axle or double-axle caravan. In many cases, these costs will include the fitting of the motor mover, but it isn’t unusual to find fitting charged additionally. For fitting alone, you could spend around £200-£300.

Can you fit a motor mover yourself?

You can, but it wouldn’t be advised. With several things to tackle, you could find yourself causing damage to both yourself, the caravan and the motor mover. Even if you avoid causing any damage, you could fit it incorrectly, and this could lead to a vehicle that is unsafe to operate. Furthermore, attempting to do it yourself may mean that the warranty on your caravan is invalidated.

The pros and cons of a caravan with motor mover

With anything, there are always pros and cons. As you have already seen, a caravan motor mover removes the stress of parking and makes it much easier, but there is more to it than that, and the addition of a motor mover could be detrimental.

Advantages of a motor mover for your caravan

• Easier parking
• Less stress
• Simplified manoeuvring on sloped or slippery terrain
• A valued assistant for solo travellers struggling with parking
• A speedy solution to parking issues
• Added security at home. You can park your caravan “A-frame in”, making it harder for thieves to tow away..

Disadvantages of a motor mover for your caravan

• Additional expense
• May compromise how much you can pack (motor movers are very heavy!)
• Will need charging to remain functional
• Need to be well-maintained
• May take some practice getting used to

A motor mover can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you are lacking confidence when it comes to parking your caravan. However, the expense can be a game-changer. In our honest opinion, a motor mover may see an initial outlay, but it can save money in the long term. Especially if your caravan were to be stolen or you have an accident when parking. If you haven’t yet decided, why not browse our range of caravans on finance? Many come equipped with motor movers already, saving you the time and money of getting one yourself. Get your free caravan finance quote today.