Mr Shifta

Tim M · 24 March 2009, 17:57

Does anyone have experience with these - devices for moving your trailer around without a car. Looks like a small electric lawnmower. I really fancy the idea of getting one to help me move boats around on my own in tight spaces without the car. However, I can't see anything about reversing anywhere. Can these things go back as well as forward? If not, can you turn the handle around or something?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MR-SHIFTA-2-ca...1%7C240%3A1318

Tim M · 24 March 2009, 18:51

After some more research it seems it will go backwards as well as forwards.

Anyone got one? Any good?

greenkeg · 24 March 2009, 19:20

a mate of mine has one he moves his caravan about with it , he said it was great and he would be lost with out it works ok on mud etc, he bought his through the caravan club

saves your back

TUFTY · 24 March 2009, 20:00

My Dad got one for his caravan and it is excellent.

With the battery installed it is pretty heavy for lifting
in and out of his van.

Were are considering installing a connection to the caravan battery
for use away from home. A cable and some form of 12 volt plug & socket
from the "shifta" to the caravan.

This may be possible on to a Rib battery in a similar way? Would need to be
careful not to discharge the battery though.

Top banana · 24 March 2009, 21:01

I had the mr shifta 2 forward and reverse to move my 5.8 vipermax and to be honest it strugled hold on a slight incline, so i sold it. It was fine moving a twin wheel caravan,
so i can only assume the boat was two heavy, and as previously stated they weigh about 60/70 kg. so arent the lighteast thing to lug about.
and at £ 700.00 new not cheap either.the only way is to try one, and see how it works for u.

Top banana · 24 March 2009, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Does anyone have experience with these - devices for moving your trailer around without a car. Looks like a small electric lawnmower. I really fancy the idea of getting one to help me move boats around on my own in tight spaces without the car. However, I can't see anything about reversing anywhere. Can these things go back as well as forward? If not, can you turn the handle around or something?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MR-SHIFTA-2-ca...1%7C240%3A1318

That looks very much like the one i sold, same location.

davetpk · 24 March 2009, 23:40

I had a Mr Shifta 2 (the yellow one) for moving two tonnes of speedboat and single axle trailer around on a block paved driveway with a slight incline in places. It would pull it up the slope but wasn't so good when I was trying to pull it at an angle up the incline - the sheer weight of the boat was trying to pull the Shifta over sideways and eventually the Shifta tyres would start to scuff sideways down the slope. Straight up and down was no problem at all though.

The Shifta 2 & 3 have significantly more pulling power than Shifta 1. You can pick up Shifta 2 secondhand for £300 ish. I think that if you look at their website and express an interest in buying a new one then they will get the local agent to come out and demo on your setup.

Dave

Tim M · 24 March 2009, 23:42

Thanks for the replies. I will only use it on level concrete so it might have a chance. Its a lot of money to spend just to test though!