caravan mover - what power rating for small caravan
ottg said
02:19 AM Oct 20, 2025
Need advice on a 12V 550W Electric Power Mover Motorised Jockey Wheel for single axle Caravan 1000kg
Need to be able to push and pull at a slight incline.
a) What model would you recommend?
b) Smallest recommended power rating?
c) Any good for a slightly uneven paved surface (10-20deg)?
d) best place to buy and price near Perth, WA to purchase?
Thanks
Gerhardt
Whenarewethere said
06:32 AM Oct 20, 2025
Over 5% you should use a proper caravan mover that clamps onto the wheels. That's what relatives in Europe use. Their caravan is small due to small car. You just won't get enough traction. Simply from a safety point of view, you don't want the caravan starting to running away from you. The proper wheel clamp movers are a brake on the wheels where the mass is.
ottg said
11:38 AM Oct 21, 2025
@whenarewethere Thank you for the reply. Those movers are very expensive as I said this is a small caravan. Hope someone has suggestions for the 550W model. Cheers
Ineedabiggerboat said
12:22 PM Oct 21, 2025
I used a PurpleLine on my New Age van.
Slight slope less than 5 degrees.
It worked well but I was always nervous about a runaway.
Pay more, cry once.
Whenarewethere said
06:20 PM Oct 21, 2025
A few reasons why my brother in-law got the the proper mover. They don't have a slope as such but due to wet weather they get a slippery driveway & it is a cobblestone texture.
Also my brother in-law had 2 hip replacements & thought it best to play it safe. His wife, my actual sister in-law, manoeuvres the caravan most if the time. I've seen her "driving" the caravan many times. Formula One stuff through complex caravan camping ground chicanes.
If you have even been to Europe, so many caravans have movers, & they are in general not the second rate ones sold in Australia.
When I first saw caravans been remotely controlled decades ago it was an eye opener. We are so much in the stone age in Australia.
To me, worth every cent to do it properly once. I learnt that decades ago.
Ineedabiggerboat said
07:05 PM Oct 21, 2025
The wireless remote control on the Purpleline allowed you to move around and see where it was going. Great product.
Whenarewethere said
07:27 PM Oct 21, 2025
Agree with remote control, so you can place yourself in key positions for manoeuvring.
Even I have had a go manoeuvring the caravan, & it is clear that all these things make things so much easier.
All you need is a Land Rover to raise & lower the tow ball instead of this silly antiquated fluffing around with a manual winding stick.
jade007 said
07:12 AM Oct 22, 2025
The cheap one around $500 are usuless even on a concrete driveway. The Optitec one work but all up around $2000 and are so heavy 22kg that they are impractical to use unless your a ironman. The Purpleline ones that work on the caravan wheels are the only way to go. I have had all 3 and Purple line is by far the best. What you pay will be forgotten ounce you enjoy using it.
ottg said
03:05 PM Oct 22, 2025
jade007 Thx for the feedback. That makes it clear that the smaller wattage doesn't cut it. Back to plan B and parking the caravan elsewhere were its easier to use the 4x4. Thx
Whenarewethere said
09:56 PM Oct 23, 2025
It's not low wattage. You can have the smallest of motors on the wheels of the caravan. But due to mass & gearing that is where the traction is. Only slower with less wattage, but you will move & with safety.
A traction wheel on the tow bar wheel will be a screaming scalded lab mouse at best. A short life for both you & hardware.
It's basic physics.
It's hard not to see a caravan in Europe without a proper traction tyre installation. Like Lake Como in Italy for one example.
Down under we are in the stone age... at best!
Whenarewethere said
09:57 PM Oct 23, 2025
& I saw all this over a decade ago.
Wol said
01:08 PM Oct 27, 2025
I have a 1.6 ton camper trailer.
I needed something to move it from the verge up the driveway and through a 90 degree bend with 3 inches of clearance on the curve on the bend. By preference I just got my son and wife to push but there is a 3% gradient and it is hard work, and the driveway uneven and some treacherous patches of grass on the edges.
I bought one of these as the cheapest best option.
You need access to a 50 amp 12v supply , a small a 20-30 amp battery will do so long as it can meet the requirements. (see manual).
It does the job. I had to make up an adaptor bracket as my drawbar is 6 deep but I assume your draw bar is inly 4 deep.
It is a bit noisy, but worked adequately if slow.
I doubt it is 1hp and doubt even more it will last more than a few years but that is okay with me.
My ball weight is about 150-165 kg which helps as it needs weight on the jockey wheel to keep adhesion.
Fine on the grassy verge on the level but no good in soft sand and best on concrete.
You can attach it only when required or leave it on as you wish
YMMV.
Ineedabiggerboat said
01:26 PM Oct 27, 2025
Its actually 3/4 of 1 horse power.
Wol said
03:41 PM Oct 27, 2025
Sorry yes, thinking foot-lbs/s
regards
Ineedabiggerboat said
03:49 PM Oct 27, 2025
No problem
jab160 said
11:42 AM Nov 24, 2025
Have owned used a trex 12v mover, pulls 2.3t easily on hard surfaces, cost around $350
-- Edited by jab160 on Monday 24th of November 2025 11:43:13 AM
jegog said
12:16 AM Dec 20, 2025
My son in law uses a 12V remotely controlled winch to drag his van into the space between the fence and workshop 2 inch clearance each side. It uses a synthetic material belt.
Need advice on a 12V 550W Electric Power Mover Motorised Jockey Wheel for single axle Caravan 1000kg
Need to be able to push and pull at a slight incline.
a) What model would you recommend?
b) Smallest recommended power rating?
c) Any good for a slightly uneven paved surface (10-20deg)?
d) best place to buy and price near Perth, WA to purchase?
Thanks
Gerhardt
Over 5% you should use a proper caravan mover that clamps onto the wheels. That's what relatives in Europe use. Their caravan is small due to small car. You just won't get enough traction. Simply from a safety point of view, you don't want the caravan starting to running away from you. The proper wheel clamp movers are a brake on the wheels where the mass is.
@whenarewethere Thank you for the reply. Those movers are very expensive as I said this is a small caravan. Hope someone has suggestions for the 550W model. Cheers
A few reasons why my brother in-law got the the proper mover. They don't have a slope as such but due to wet weather they get a slippery driveway & it is a cobblestone texture.
Also my brother in-law had 2 hip replacements & thought it best to play it safe. His wife, my actual sister in-law, manoeuvres the caravan most if the time. I've seen her "driving" the caravan many times. Formula One stuff through complex caravan camping ground chicanes.
If you have even been to Europe, so many caravans have movers, & they are in general not the second rate ones sold in Australia.
When I first saw caravans been remotely controlled decades ago it was an eye opener. We are so much in the stone age in Australia.
To me, worth every cent to do it properly once. I learnt that decades ago.
Agree with remote control, so you can place yourself in key positions for manoeuvring.
Even I have had a go manoeuvring the caravan, & it is clear that all these things make things so much easier.
All you need is a Land Rover to raise & lower the tow ball instead of this silly antiquated fluffing around with a manual winding stick.
jade007 Thx for the feedback. That makes it clear that the smaller wattage doesn't cut it. Back to plan B and parking the caravan elsewhere were its easier to use the 4x4. Thx
It's not low wattage. You can have the smallest of motors on the wheels of the caravan. But due to mass & gearing that is where the traction is. Only slower with less wattage, but you will move & with safety.
A traction wheel on the tow bar wheel will be a screaming scalded lab mouse at best. A short life for both you & hardware.
It's basic physics.
It's hard not to see a caravan in Europe without a proper traction tyre installation. Like Lake Como in Italy for one example.
Down under we are in the stone age... at best!
& I saw all this over a decade ago.
I have a 1.6 ton camper trailer.
I needed something to move it from the verge up the driveway and through a 90 degree bend with 3 inches of clearance on the curve on the bend. By preference I just got my son and wife to push but there is a 3% gradient and it is hard work, and the driveway uneven and some treacherous patches of grass on the edges.
I bought one of these as the cheapest best option.
https://www.trailersrus.com.au/motorised-mini-mover-electric-jockey-wheel-gen-3-1
You can also get a rotating mount now for them.
You need access to a 50 amp 12v supply , a small a 20-30 amp battery will do so long as it can meet the requirements. (see manual).
It does the job. I had to make up an adaptor bracket as my drawbar is 6 deep but I assume your draw bar is inly 4 deep.
It is a bit noisy, but worked adequately if slow.
I doubt it is 1hp and doubt even more it will last more than a few years but that is okay with me.
My ball weight is about 150-165 kg which helps as it needs weight on the jockey wheel to keep adhesion.
Fine on the grassy verge on the level but no good in soft sand and best on concrete.
You can attach it only when required or leave it on as you wish
YMMV.
Sorry yes, thinking foot-lbs/s
regards
Have owned used a trex 12v mover, pulls 2.3t easily on hard surfaces, cost around $350
-- Edited by jab160 on Monday 24th of November 2025 11:43:13 AM