We currently have a Jayco Eagle Outback Camper, in maybe two years if we are both "vertical" we were thinking of upgrading to a Pop Top like for example a 15ft StarCraft.
My question to you all is which form of caravan mover do you all recommend? The reason being the cross beam on our carport entrance is just barely high enough for the van to go under, we believe that if the jockey wheel is raised sufficiently for us to attach to our Kia Sorrento SUV the front of the van may be too high to come out from under the beam. The paved area of the carport slopes down towards to back, there would sufficient room at the back but it's the front we are concerned about.
At one point there was discussion to set the Eagle up for "free camping" but we have decided against this and to plan towards the future, we wouldn't mind finding something now but from what I can see all the "good" units require a battery in the van? Is the Camper Trolley well received within the "caravan world"?
Would be interested to speak to someone in the kow who is in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
Hello and welcome to this forum cookiemonsta
Now just thinking outside the square here but , how is your carport attached to the ground /. Concrete would it be just as cheap to have the carport lifted to the required height if it's bolted just get extensions made up , lift and bolt on the extensions, if it's in the concrete can it simply be cut off and another piece of pipe or boxing if it's boxing of the next size be slipped over it and welded ?
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Most movers I've come across seem to be designed for flat smooth concrete or tar. I've had a manual ratchet type and its performance was dismal. Not enough ball weight and the tyre skidded, too much ball weight and the tyre distorted.
My most successful mover was a little winch, an electric ATV type bought from eBay for $150 or so. Needed 12v, but not much. Dragged the big van to wherever I needed it. Anchoring it requires a convenient fixed object.
Last device I'm trying is a mover powered by a battery drill. Saw it at the last caravan show. Will be much simpler to set up than the winch and I'm hoping it will handle the van, boat trailer and car float when they need to be moved in tight areas.
Maybe you could just tow the camper out a bit before you attach it to the Kia?
We have a Jayco single axle pop-top van and because of our drive way had a Purple Line caravan mover fitted. It has been excellent. This the only one we have used, but certainly have no complaint. When we did have a difficulty at the very start, the Purple Line people at headquarters were absolutely excellent. Good luck!
1. let some air out of tyres to drop van a coupla inches.
2 Buy smaller wheel rims with same hub spacings.
3. if van clears but not when coupled to Kia.
Buy a "Drop" hitch bar. with ball.
use that to get van out, then pull pin and recouple with std hitch bar.?
4. If carport free standing.
Raise the legs to suit with maybe "sleeves. or welded tubing (if steel posts) to suit.
Just hire a coupla Accrow jacks, length to suit first.
Jack each side up and do your thing.
If sleeving. Just find a local bloke with decent "Hiab" type crane on back of his truch.
"How much for a coupla hrs, just standing?.
My last job cost me a coupla cartons.
Company driver. I stopped and asked him on side of road. did following day lunch.
Came round. Hoisted Steps to decking .
then sat there and had dinner while I welded extension legs to it.
Simple.
Here in QLD. Most small jobs are by the "carton".
This is all about planning for the future as we current have a Jayco Eagle Camper Trailer and we are planning on possibly upgrading in two years to a pop top.
We have a camper trolley for our Jayco poptop and it is the best option for us.
Looked at the others but any fitted one (Permanet) caused us major concern.
Dust, dirt and water ingress whilst travelling and also living at the beach the outfit would be in the weather.
Winches fitted to our boats over the years have proven dismal.
The camper trolley is stored in the shed out of the weather, it is extremely simple to operate and picked up one on Gumtree under $1300
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Fish for the next Generation. Catch what you can but leave some for your grandchildren
I tow 525 boat up side of house.
and round corner. engine first.
Strategic placement of Dynabolts set in concrete. with Stainless rings welded on top
Boat trlr winch with shackle on back and 12v power pack.
Pulls my boat up very steep drive and round corner,
with one move of winch cable off sheave at corner.. Simple.
Just steer from drawbar end.
A couple of "open cheek" sheet blocks from sailing with eyebolts conveniently places in walls\concrete.
Can place any trailer. anywhere quite easily. for price of trailer winch (coipla hundred$$'s) and eye bolts, shackles.
Plus it's fun
the satisfaction you get from getting it in correct spot every time.
I have a paint mark on concrete I like to put left trailer wheel on every time.
Just by pushing a button and lifting cable ope off block.
works both ways with placement of another eye bolt in other wall.
People should try playing around.
Just gauge a few angles and leads and away you go.
Would save a lot of hassles and stresses.
People nowadays get knickers in twist far too easily.
when. With a little thought and imagination. EVERYTHING is possible.
Just think outside the square for a second. You'll be surprised.
