A caravan motor mover is one of the most practical Christmas gifts for caravanners. It lets one person position a caravan by remote control on pitches, driveways and storage bays, without pushing or repeated reversing. Before you buy, check four things: the caravan’s weight, whether it has one axle or two, the leisure battery and who will fit it.
Plenty of caravan gifts end up in a locker and come out once a season. A motor mover gets used every time the caravan moves, which is what makes it such a memorable present.
What are the best Christmas gifts for caravanners?
The best gifts solve a problem the caravanner has on every trip. Levelling ramps, a good quality hook-up lead, a hitch lock or a new awning carpet all do that in a small way.
A motor mover tackles the job most owners find hardest: getting the caravan exactly where it needs to be once it is unhitched. That might be a sloping pitch, a narrow gateway at home or a tight bay in a storage compound.
It is also built to last. Powrtouch has designed and built motor movers in the UK since 1991, and every current model is covered by a five-year guarantee.
Is a motor mover a good gift for experienced caravanners?
Yes. Confident towers still come across pitches where reversing the car and caravan together is awkward, or where there is simply no room for the car. A mover lets the car be parked out of the way while the caravan is moved on its own, slowly and precisely.
It also means one person can manage the whole job. For couples who usually need one person guiding and one driving, that can take a lot of the pressure out of arriving on site.
What do you need to check before buying a motor mover as a gift?
Every motor mover is matched to the caravan it is fitted to, so a little quiet research now saves problems later. These are the four details to find out.
How heavy is the caravan?
Look for the maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM). This is usually shown on a plate near the caravan door or in the owner’s handbook. Movers are rated for the weight they can move and the gradient they can manage, so match the rating to the caravan’s maximum weight rather than its empty weight. Our guide to caravan motor mover weight and payload explains how this works.
Does the caravan have one axle or two?
Single axle caravans have two wheels and twin axle caravans have four. The axle count decides which part of the range is suitable, and our guide to choosing the right caravan mover walks through the options in detail.
Is the leisure battery suitable?
A motor mover runs from the caravan’s leisure battery, so the battery needs enough capacity to power it. Powrtouch recommends a minimum of 100Ah for its Evolution movers. If the current battery is older or smaller, a new one could be a sensible addition to the gift.
Who will fit the mover?
Fitting by an approved Powrtouch dealer is the simplest route. When a mover is bought from and fitted by Powrtouch or an approved dealer, the five-year guarantee covers parts and labour. Self-fitted movers are covered for parts only. Our article on DIY or professional motor mover fitting covers the differences.
Not sure which mover suits the caravan? Call the Powrtouch team on 01283 587900 for expert advice.
Can you give a caravan motor mover as a surprise?
You can, but it takes a little planning because the mover has to be fitted to the caravan. Two approaches work well.
- Gather the caravan details quietly from the handbook or the plate by the door, then speak to a dealer about the right model and arrange fitting.
- Wrap up a card with a picture of the model you have in mind, then book the fitting together in the new year so the owner can have a say on manual or auto engage.
Winter suits fitting well. The caravan is usually laid up, and the mover is ready to go for the first trip of the new season. Our article on why the off-season is a good time to fit a motor mover explains more.
Which Powrtouch motor mover makes the best gift?
The best one is the one that matches the caravan. As a starting point:
- Single axle caravans: the Powrtouch Freedom or the Evolution single axle
- Twin axle caravans with room for gentle turns: the Evolution twin axle
- Twin axle caravans in tight spaces: the Evolution All Wheel Drive, which drives all four wheels
Manual engage uses a lever to bring the rollers against the tyres, while auto engage does it from the remote control. A dealer can talk through which suits the owner best.
Find your nearest approved Powrtouch dealer to talk through the options and arrange fitting.
Christmas gifts for caravanners: frequently asked questions
Is a motor mover a good Christmas present for a caravan owner?
Yes. It is one of the few caravan gifts used on every trip, making it easier to position the caravan on pitches, driveways and storage sites without pushing or repeated reversing.
What do I need to know about the caravan before buying a mover?
You need the caravan’s maximum weight (MTPLM), whether it is single or twin axle, the size and condition of the leisure battery, and how the mover will be fitted. A Powrtouch dealer can confirm the right model from these details.
Can a motor mover be fitted over the winter?
Yes. Winter is a practical time to fit a mover because the caravan is usually laid up, and it will be ready to use from the first trip of the new season.
Will a motor mover fit any caravan?
Most touring caravans can take a motor mover, but chassis design, axle type and the space around the wheels vary. An approved dealer will check the caravan and confirm the right model before fitting.
What guarantee comes with a Powrtouch motor mover?
Powrtouch movers come with a five-year guarantee. It covers parts and labour when the mover is bought from and fitted by Powrtouch or an approved dealer, and parts only when the mover is self-fitted. Full details are on the Powrtouch guarantee page.