Choosing a Caravan Motor Mover

What is a motor mover?

A motor mover is a manual or 12V motorised device which is clamped to a caravan chassis and connects to rollers attached to the caravan wheels which then propel the caravan in any chosen 

direction, controlled by a handset.

Motor movers are powered by the caravan’s battery and are available with different power motors depending on the weight of the caravan.

Why use a motor mover?

Caravan motor movers allow you to easily manoeuvre a caravan into position, whether that be into a driveway, storage or touring pitch, or even hitching up. If you can’t or don’t want to push or pull your caravan in a space using your car, a motor mover will move the caravan into position.

Motor movers also allow you to move a caravan towards the car when hitching up, as well as helping to precisely align a wheel lock receptor to simplify inserting a wheel lock barrel.

Whilst caravan motor movers can’t be described as an essential piece of equipment, they can make life a lot easier – they can save you having to rely on precision-manoeuvring with your car, struggling to manhandle the caravan, and needing the guidance of another person. For tight spaces and heavier caravans they’re especially useful.

What to consider:

• As a general rule you can expect to pay around £1000 for a motor mover depending on the make. Less expensive devices may have a less powerful motor, which may be reflected in performance if using in wet or cold condition.

• The mover you choose will depend on the weight of your caravan and whether it is single-axle or twin-axle. Each motor mover will detail the working loads they can handle. If you expect to have to move your caravan up a steep incline you’ll need a motor mover with capacity to do that.

• The weight of a motor mover needs to be subtracted from the payload of the caravan, so you need to be conscious of your payload allowance if using a motor mover. Find out more about caravan towing weights.

• Motor movers are either manual or motorised. Manual devices use a hand operated lever whilst motorised have 12-volt motors which move the mover’s rollers to make contact with the tyre. Electrical motor movers have the advantage of not requiring any manual effort, though are generally more expensive. Remember to find out how the motor mover works if the motor fails.

• Most motorised motor movers will require a well-charged 85Ah battery to operate.

• To avoid interference with the functioning of the spare wheel carrier or jacking brackets, a motor mover should be positioned in front of the axle. Getting the motor mover is fitted by a professional will avoid any problems.

Remember to read and follow manufacturer’s instructions and perform regular maintenance checks.  

For more in-depth advice, The Camping and Caravanning Club have a useful fact sheet available here.

Caravan Security Devices

There are a number of security devices on the market which can help deter a thief and protect your caravan or motorhome.

• Look for the Sold Secure badge when purchasing a security device – this is the industry standard which tests and approves security products. The Sold Secure logo provides gold, silver and bronze ratings. Wheel locks can obtain a diamond rating.
• Products can also be approved by Thatcham, or by European bodies such as TUV and SCM.
• There are hundreds of caravan security devices on the market, with some being better than others. As with most things you generally get what you pay for so do some research before buying to check if a product has been independently tested or reviewed.

Caravan Security Products

Hitch locks

• As well as being a visual deterrent to thieves, hitch locks fit over the towing hitch and assembly fixing bolts to prevent your caravan being towed away by a thief’s vehicle.  

• You should look for a hitch lock that is made from heavy steel and make sure that it covers the hitch fixing bolts. It should also be noted that whilst a hitch lock does give a reasonable level of protection, it is wise to use one in conjunction with other security devices.

• Hitch locks should not be fitted during transit as it may cause problems for the Emergency Services.

• Some insurance companies will require that a hitch lock and wheel clamp to be fitted to a caravan as a condition of your policy.

Wheel clamps

• Wheel clamps work in a similar way to hitch locks and are quite often required as the minimum form of security by caravan insurers. These fit over the wheels to prevent them from rotating and will prevent the caravan from being towed away.

• Some clamps leave the unit’s wheel nuts exposed meaning the clamp can be removed by removing the wheel, so it might be worth using locking wheel nuts alongside the clamp.

• Wheel clamps come in various sizes and not all are suitable for alloy wheels so make sure you get the right type and size for your caravan.

• Remember to consider the strength of the material the device is made of and the lock. A wheel clamp made of thick high-grade steel is worthless if secured by a cheap lock that can be defeated in a minute.

Wheel stands/winter wheels

• Wheels can be taken off your caravan whilst in storage and replaced with wheel stands. This should make it more difficult for a thief to drive off with your unit. However, make sure you check your insurance policy – if it stipulates the use of a wheel clamp of wheel lock, using wheel stands would invalidate your insurance.

Security posts

• Security posts are concreted into the ground and used to anchor the caravan to the spot with a heavy duty chain and padlock.

• For maximum protection the posts need to be set in concrete and have an internal locking mechanism, as padlocks can be vulnerable. Some posts have towballs on top so the caravan hitch can be locked on top, but in general most posts will just physically stop the removal of the caravan.

Miscellaneous locks

• Corner steady locks allow the corner steady legs to be locked in the down position. They are easy to fit, relatively cheap, and are a good addition to an existing basic security system.

• For motorhomes, steering wheel locks are a good visual deterrent.
  

• Caravan and motorhome door locks are not generally very robust security and can be supplemented with additional locks or fitted with a more secure locking mechanism. There are also devices that bolt onto the body of the caravan and swing across the door to protect the door lock.

• Remember to make sure that you are still able to easily exit the vehicle in an emergency.

Caravan alarms

• From small alarms which can be fitted to doors and windows, to devices which have sensors to detect corner steady vibration or internal movement, there are a range of caravan alarms available to provide you with warning should someone attempt to steal or gain access to your caravan.

• Do your research to make sure the alarm is reliable – false alarms are a nuisance and risk being ignored if there is a genuine incident.

• Some caravan alarms can be connected to home alarm systems, and similarly, some can be linked up to a tracker device if you have one fitted.
• Immobilisers

• Caravan immobilisers bolt the wheels to the axle preventing the caravan from being towed away without first being unlocked.

CRiS

• The Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) is a national register for caravans in the UK and provides registration documents similar to the DVLA for motor vehicles as well as information relating to the history of the caravan.

• All UK caravans manufactured since 1992 are automatically given a CRiS number which is etched onto the body of the van. It is also possible to register pre-2002 caravans and imported caravans.

• In the event that a stolen caravan is recovered or sold on, a CRiS number will allow the owners to be contacted. When purchasing a used caravan, buyers are advised to contract CRiS to confirm that the unit has not been registered as stolen.

• Remember not to keep your registration documents in the caravan – store them in a safe place at home.

Caravan Marking

• The roof of your caravan can be marked with the last 6 digits of its CRiS number. It is also recommended that fixtures and fittings are marked with an ultra-violet pen. Microdot security systems are also available.

Tracking systems

• GPS Tracking devices are installed inside the caravan and linked to a central database. Should your caravan be stolen, your vehicle can then be tracked by the control centre, located and recovered.

• Some tracking systems will automatically send out an alert whilst a theft is in progress, and those with VHF signal technology work even if your vehicle has been moved into a container or stored underground.

• Having a tracking system installed can reduce your caravan insurance premium, but it is important to find out whether you are required to get it professionally installed. Most require a Thatcham or Sold Secure approved tracking system. 

• Whilst these systems can be pricey they seem to provide good results. Leading manufacturers include Phantom and Tracker.

And finally…

Whilst no product can guarantee that your caravan won’t be stolen, security devices will help to deter or at least slow down a thief. Fitting more than one security measure is worth considering.

When your caravan is in storage it is worth removing personal items and leaving the cupboards open so the thief can see there’s nothing of value inside. You might also want to remove the unit cushions, which will not only keep them dry but dramatically reduce the saleability of the caravan in the event of theft.

If the worst happens and your unit is stolen notify the police, your insurance company and CRiS. The police will need as full a description, your CRiS or chassis number, any other serial numbers and identifying marks or features. Make sure you have recorded these and stored them in a safe place. It’s also worth taking some photos that can be used in the event of theft.

Read this post on our website 

Search for a CaSSOA accredited storage site here 

Home Security

With the summer now upon us, at some point it’s likely we’ll be leaving our homes unattended whilst we go away on holiday. Getting away should be an enjoyable and relaxing experience, not spoilt by worrying about the risk of burglary.

We’ve probably all asked ourselves “Did I shut that window” or “Did I switch the alarm on” at some point, so with the help of The Crime Prevention Website, here is a checklist of things to do before you head off on holiday. 

With around 60% of all burglaries taking place when no-one’s at home, these tips may help to prevent a break in whilst you’re away.

·         Let a trusted neighbour or friends know that you’ll be away. Leave your contact details, a spare set of keys and the PIN for your alarm.

·         Cancel the papers and any other regular deliveries.

·         If you have an alarm, let them know you’ll be away and who to contact in case of emergency.

·         If you’re going away for an extended period, use the Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service. They’ll hold your mail for up to 2 months.

Ask a friend or neighbour to do some of these:

·         Draw the curtains daily

·         Switch lights on and off, or use a timer switch

·         Water plants

·         Take in the mail

·         Leave one of their cars on your driveway

Secure and lock away the following:

·         Garden and DIY tools – especially ladders which could be used to aid access.

·         Sheds, outbuildings and garage

·         Garden furniture and barbeques

·         All doors, windows and gates

·         Remove items of value in view from your car if you’re leaving it at home, and put car keys in a safe place away from the front door

·         Remove all keys from all locks and put them in a safe place. Tell your key holders where you’ve put them

·         If you have a safe, use it to store valuable jewellery, documents and other valuables including wills, house deeds, and credit cards you’re not taking with you

·         Large items of value like computers or paintings should be hidden from view.

Additional things to consider:

·         Turn off the gas and water supply if you’re going to be away from a long time

·         Check the expiry dates for car, home and holiday insurance, road tax and MOT. You don’t want it to expire whilst you’re away

·         Don’t leave an answer machine message which indicates that you’re away on holiday

·         Unplug all electrical items which don’t need to be on

·         Check that outdoor security lights are working

·         Mark valuable property so that it can be identified if stolen

·         Carry out a Home Security Assessment to identify areas of your home where you may need to improve security

Having ticked off all the items on this checklist all that’s left to do is hitch up the caravan and head out onto the open road.

If you’re having a break from touring and leaving your caravan behind, check our guide to Caravan Security.

Happy Holidays!

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