Trailer/Caravan Mover

[nrwilliams]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone here had made or modified something into a caravan/trailer mover.

I ideally would like something to move a caravan or trailer via the hitch rather than an installed system so that I can use it on both the caravan and my car trailer.

I keep looking on ebay but nothing comes up locally so have been looking at other items that may be able to be modified to do the job e.g ride on lawnmower, mobility scooter, electric wheelchair.

I would really like some opinions on what you think would be suitable and would do the job, slow speed and lots of torque.

Thanks

Neil

 

[TechnicAl]

I couldnt sell mine. Everybody wants the built-in jobs these days. I gave it away in the end to a friend of a friend.
Had it on ebay for £50, it cost about £500, not one bid

I would keep looking and be prepared to travel a bit. By the time youve done modifying something else you will have spent more and it may not be as good.

Mine worked really well but I got a new van with a built-in job so it was surplus



I'll tell you a story. When I bought this house the seller was a bit of an Inventor (or thought he was). When I looked in the workshop he was obviously part way through making something so I asked what it was. He said it was an electric powered caravan jockey wheel but would I keep it secret because no-one knew about it. Well at that time I had had my motormover a few years so I managed to keep my face straight. Once we had bought the house and were moving in I asked him about his "jockey wheel" and he said he hadnt finished it with all the upheaval of moving. So I showed him the motor mover....the look on his face was a picture

 

[nrwilliams]

LOL at the story!

I think your right, I saw the built in one but as I have a caravan and a couple of trailers I wanted something to use on all of them.

Will just keep my eyes peeled on ebay for a local ish bargain.

Many thanks

 

[john224]

Ive seen a car starter motor with a chain drive on it geard dowm to drive a pair of wheels <<mini wheels>>back to back and they used to move 2 1/2 ton trailers with it,, pritty easy to make,,

 

[nrwilliams]

That sounds interesting, any more details?

Ive seen a car starter motor with a chain drive on it geard dowm to drive a pair of wheels <<mini wheels>>back to back and they used to move 2 1/2 ton trailers with it,, pritty easy to make,,

 

[stuvy]

http://www.c-bay.co.uk/Cander-Belt-Caravan-Mover,name,100583,auction_id,auction_details

i had a quick browse on google and saw this for £79.99

 

[john224]

Basicaly its 2 mini wheels on hubs back to back with motor bike rear gear cog between the wheels on a shaft with a starter motor above with a gearbox cog welded on the end with chain round the cogs and with a bracket on back for a car battery to sit on then just wired up to a switch on the handle,,

 

[shenion]

I use my riding mower to move my trailers. You can often find one with a rotted out deck cheap.

Works well but I need to make sure the brake is in good shape as my driveway is steep. Much easier to see and turn than using my Cherokee.

Does not get much traction with turf tires in soft ground though.

 

[john224]

Pic now added to earlier thread

 

[nrwilliams]

wow thanks for the responses, I have been looking on ebay for dedicated movers but also quite fancy having a go at making or modifying something.

It would be nice to use the mig for something other than car repair!

So I just happen to have a mini subframe on the garage with wheels so will look down that route.

many thanks again.

Neil

 

[Nomad]

Depends how much torque you need..
Pensioners electric buggy - just add a towball
motors from an electric wheelchair (as used by RC robots eveywhere )
as said before, ride-on mower with the deck removed (or leave it on for dual purpose )

 

[MrFluffy]

I saw a photo of a beautifully made one, it was a small cable winch modified with a sprocket and chain, and drove two sit on lawnmower wheels.
It fitted into a pin attached to the towbar section, as that way it could stay two wheeled, but you could do similar with a ball and tripod wheel layout.

Handy if you have a cheap winch with a broken spool gear like me. Though mostly I use the tractor as its got good lock

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

LOL at the story!

I think your right, I saw the built in one but as I have a caravan and a couple of trailers I wanted something to use on all of them.

Will just keep my eyes peeled on ebay for a local ish bargain.

Many thanks

In a fairly recent ( last four months but not in August issue ..just had a blimp ) edition of The caravan club mag there is a tow ball area device that fits on and off , it is a radio controlled tracked device with some heavy duty small batteries .

This is what I was thinking of ..
Camper Trolley CT1500 by Mover Technology



I think the price is £999