Anyone Tried these on their Trailer?

Simon666 · 15 May 2014, 21:04

MOTORISED JOCKEY WHEEL - Solid Wheel 12v Electric Caravan Trailer Mover 12 Volt | eBay

Or

MR SHIFTA 2 CARAVAN/BOAT/TRAILER MOVER | eBay

My new boat storage is on hard compacted gravel on a slight slope. Me n the misses just cannot move it by hand, and it usually take 3 blokes to get it into its space. Its too tight to reverse the trailer in on the car.
I was wondering if anyone has use such a device?

mick · 15 May 2014, 21:35

Often been tempted to get a mrshifta as mine is in a bad spot to move around but I would want a demo 1 st to make sure it could cope
I use the Defenders winch at the mo to move it

colcreate · 15 May 2014, 21:37

Coincidence, I have been looking at this sort of thing for a while. Bit concerned with the small diameter driving wheel on the first link. This is a review of a similar looking model:
Quick review - Mini Mover motorised jockey wheel

Read down to the bottom to see the homebuilt version with 2 quad wheels!

So far I've got the wheels, winch, battery and some steel so might have to sneak off into the workshop one wet weekend!

mick · 15 May 2014, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcreate

Coincidence, I have been looking at this sort of thing for a while. Bit concerned with the small diameter driving wheel on the first link. This is a review of a similar looking model:

Quick review - Mini Mover motorised jockey wheel

Read down to the bottom to see the homebuilt version with 2 quad wheels!

So far I've got the wheels, winch, battery and some steel so might have to sneak off into the workshop one wet weekend!

That's cool I want one or a ride on lawn mower to convert

Simon666 · 15 May 2014, 22:16

This one is clever and surprisingly effective!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF8PU77eyCo

I would like to know where he got the gearbox.

Peter_C · 16 May 2014, 01:53

Front experience I can tell you that you will not be able to push your boat with either of those units uphill on gravel. The tires will spin.

Do you have power in the storage facility? If so an electric winch might be a viable solution. Many come with wireless remotes, and those that don't can be easily rigged up. If the winch is 12volts you could easily rig up a battery charger. The winch just needs to be bolted to the floor, or securely mounted somehow. We bolted a winch onto the floor of my friends garage, since it would have been impossible to back it into his garage using his truck. Made it so one person could put the boat away.

treerat · 16 May 2014, 07:13

I use one of these - Marksman 2 Ton Hand Winch Puller Boat Trailer or Car 66102C | eBay.

The boat lives in a container and this easily moves her across the mud track and up into the box.

ribgeek · 16 May 2014, 23:12

Can you fit a towball to the front of your tow vehicle? These are great for getting into awkward spots and for general slipway visibility. It needn't be as robust as your rear towbar

Harrys Game · 16 May 2014, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribgeek

Can you fit a towball to the front of your tow vehicle? These are great for getting into awkward spots and for general slipway visibility. It needn't be as robust as your rear towbar

Thats exactly what I have done and its the best £150 quid ive spent boating wise. I have in the past put my boat in the water and gone back and helped a couple of others having difficulties and still seen people trying to launch from before me starting my efforts. Definitely an option worth considering. Regards Jim

Pikey Dave · 17 May 2014, 06:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

That's cool I want one or a ride on lawn mower to convert

I made a towbar for our ride on (13hp) great on the flat concrete, but fails completely as soon as you get onto the grass & gravel, back to the drawing board

Peter_C · 17 May 2014, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I made a towbar for our ride on (13hp) great on the flat concrete, but fails completely as soon as you get onto the grass & gravel, back to the drawing board

My riding mower spins on it's own without anything hooked up to it

Simon666 · 17 May 2014, 17:56

I have a ride on mower which pulls it fine but the problem is I have to unhitch the trailer and spin it 90 degrees where the rear of the boat and the trailer coupling miss the fence by 6 inches so I cant use the mower.
Im pretty tempted by the motorised jockey wheel as it wont make the trailer any longer. Im a bit dubious as to how waterproof it would be. Dont realy want to have to remove it when towing and launching.

The gavel is very hard and compacted. It you were to swing a shovel at it, it would hardly leave a dent. So I dont think traction would be an issue.

colcreate · 17 May 2014, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcreate

Coincidence, I have been looking at this sort of thing for a while. Bit concerned with the small diameter driving wheel on the first link. This is a review of a similar looking model:
Quick review - Mini Mover motorised jockey wheel

Read down to the bottom to see the homebuilt version with 2 quad wheels!

So far I've got the wheels, winch, battery and some steel so might have to sneak off into the workshop one wet weekend!

Made a start today on a 12v motor mover! Maybe even 24 volt if it needs the umph.
Decided on a single 8" quad wheel for the main driving wheel and a Stanna stairlift motor and gearbox (mother in law needs more exercise anyway....).
Made a wheel hub and axle from some scrap pieces welded together and turned it to size to fit the quad rim.
Looking on eBay tonight for some chain and sprockets!
Think this is going to have two HD swivel casters at the front to stabilise and the quad wheel taking the weight under the tow hitch.
Decided against two big quad wheels as I have to do some tight turns to get the trailer out from behind the house and thought a single drive wheel would turn on it's self rather than dragging two wheels on a fixed axle.
Making this one up as I go along.....

Simon666 · 20 May 2014, 18:03

So i bought the Mini Mover Motorised jockey wheel today from fleabay.
I thought £180 wasn't too bad seeing as the Mr Shifta tugs seem to sell for £250-£350 second hand.

I will report back once it arrives from Germany.

philpot · 23 May 2014, 10:34

I used to have a motor mover for my caravan which worked very well and at that time I lived on a farm with rough track to where I kept the van. No good if it is wet however as they do slip on wet ground.

Sold the van and mover and bought a caravan with built in movers on the main wheels, fantastic but not much use when the trailer wheels will be going into the water.

Phil