Do you find it difficult to reverse your caravan?
Everybody finds themselves in a tight spot sometimes. Even the most experienced drivers can struggle to park their van on an awkward pitch or reverse it into a shed. It's a tricky task but thankfully there's an easy solution.
The humble caravan mover.
With one of these, you’ll be able to manoeuvre your van without worrying about making mistakes. Ratchet jockey wheel systems are popular because they are a cheap and effective way to manually guide the caravan into position.
Or you can go upmarket and invest in an electric caravan mover. Simply use a remote control and watch your caravan move. Yes, they’re a premium option but you won’t break your back or be stressed out while on holiday.
Let’s look at some of the most popular caravan movers in Australia today.
| Camec Caravan Mover Elite 2 | Purple Line e-go Titanium 2 Motor Mover | Alko Power Mover w/ Clamp & Handle | Trailer Valet Mover |
---|---|---|---|---|
Our pick | Best Value | |||
*Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | Check price at Purple Line | |||
12V | 12V | Ratchet jockey wheel | Ratchet jockey wheel | |
2,000kg | 2,250kg | N/A | 2,200kg | |
N/A | N/A | 150kg (moving) - 350kg (stationary) | 220kg | |
47 kg | 35 kg | 10 kg | 20.5 kg | |
Single 250mm Solid Rubber | N/A | Solid 260mm Solid Rubber | Dual nine inch pneumatic | |
Single or twin axle | Single or twin axle | Single axle | Single axle | |
No | Yes | N/A | N/A | |
Yes | Yes | No | No | |
1 year | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year |
Best Caravan Movers Australia
Camec Caravan Mover Elite 2
Runner Up
The Camec Caravan Mover Elite 2 is one of the best in its class in Australia today.
Camec is a well-trusted brand with an emphasis on quality. Their electric caravan mover continues a trend of high-end products for a decent price.
This system is easy to operate. Once it’s set up, you can use the remote control to move your caravan in every direction. Furthermore, it uses 2-way system technology to block interference from external signals.
Meanwhile, it utilises soft start-and-stop technology. Some cheaper electric jockey wheel systems jolt in a jarring manner when they’re activated. This isn’t the case with the Camec.
This caravan mover requires 12V to operate with an average consumption of 20 amps. It also has a safe working load of 1,800kg when using two motors. However, this reduces to 1,500kg on an 18% gradient.
The downside of this caravan mover (as with pretty much all electric caravan movers) is that it’s expensive. It comes with a one-year warranty.
Finally, it is a hefty piece of equipment as it weighs 45kg. Bear this in mind when considering your overall payload.
Purple Line e-go Titanium 2 Motor Mover
Our Pick
Purple Line’s phenomenal electric caravan mover is one of the best in its class.
Designed for Australian conditions, this is a durable device. It’s corrosive resistant, electroplated and powder-coated for enhanced protection from the elements. This caravan mover should last for a long time.
It’s also lighter than direct competitors like the Camec Elite 2. The Titanium 2 weighs just 35kg but still retains a heavy-duty design.
You can use this mover on both single-axle and double-axle caravans. It has a safety limit of 2,250kg with two motors and 3,000kg for four motors. This is a higher allowance than the Camec equivalent.
Meanwhile, Purple Line is rightly proud of its safety features.
It comes with built-in motor overload protection. Also, the control unit and handset shut down automatically after 60 seconds of disuse. Furthermore, there is an isolation switch so that nobody accidentally activates the remote.
Finally, the brake immediately engages when you release the controller button.
This is arguably the best caravan mover in Australia and it’s difficult to find negatives.
The price is high at $1500 but comes with a two-year warranty. While the mover is complicated to install, the upside is that it can be removed and attached to other caravans.
Alko Power Mover w/ Clamp & Handle
Best Value
This power mover is on the other end of the spectrum from the previous caravan mover.
Alko designed this mover to be simple but effective. It will fit onto conventional tow bars without any problems. From there it should be easy to use. Use the lever handle to direct the caravan. This engages the ratchet and guides the van into motion.
At just 10kg it’s lightweight but deceptively solid. The 260mm rubber tyres are designed to last and to give the system an even load share.
This caravan mover has a maximum drawbar weight of 150kg when in motion. However, this increases to 350kg when stationary.
The main issue with this model is an inherent one. Like all ratchet jockey wheel systems, it can be difficult for one person to operate. It’s much easier when there’s somebody else with you to give directions.
However, there’s no disputing that it’s good value. At about $175, it’s the best caravan mover available at a lower price point.
Trailer Valet Mover
Honourable Mention