Tracked trailer mover.

[Gazzago]

Anyone tried one of these?

https://funfitadventure.co.uk/shop/p...trolley-rt1500

Very expensive but work on inclines and gravel which I have both to deal with when storing my boat.

I hear mixed reviews about the powered single jockey wheels and it would seem they won’t work for what I need. It’s only a 5m Brig with a 50 on the back but needs two or three to store it or get it hitched onto the car.

I’d of course like to use the cheaper option but would be keen to hear if anyone has used the tracked version too.

Ps Re surfacing isn’t really an option for me and I can’t run paving stones as a track as need multiple shuffles to get the boat tucked away.

[Limecc]

Probably the best one I've seen but I can't see it working very well on gravel. Wouldn't want to risk that much money.

I was thinking about it and maybe there's a way to adapt some caravan motor movers so they can be quickly attached. Direct drive would work best. Available secondhand but not too much money even buying new.

[Gazzago]

One of their selling points is that it works on gravel…

I’ve considered direct drive motor movers but I really can’t see any way to make them quick release and they’d probably last 2 mins after being dunked in seawater.

I just have my doubts about the jockey wheel mover working. Some YouTube videos suggest it will work.

[jakew009]

A heavy duty ride on mower would be a better option

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203792471...cAAOSwc7Nh4wIk

Could cut your grass with it too

[jakew009]

With the little robot thing, I think the trick would be to get a massive amount of weight on it.

Most little boat trailers have virtually no weight on the towbar (hence why they tow so badly), if you could somehow get 100kg on the towbar I think the robot would probably work quite well.

It’s telling even the smallest model is rated for 300kg. I bet they have a huge pile of weights stacked at the front of the caravans in their demo videos…

[Gazzago]

It’s easy enough to move the axle on a boat trailer to change the balance over the tow coupling. My trailer is actually too nose heavy at the moment really.

I already have a ride on mower. There isn’t room to use it to manoeuvre the trailer unfortunately. But I like your thinking [emoji1303].

I’ll probably take a chance on the single jockey wheel. Much cheaper initially and I can probably sell it on if it doesn’t work.

[Steve509926]

Hi Gaz, I've never had a jockey wheel mover but Ive seen people using them. Appear to work well on flat, compact ground, but struggle or just don't work on wet grass, mud, loose gravel or the slightest incline. I've had to move a few caravans with the truck that people couldn't move with their mover.
I read the blurb for the tracked robot mover, are you sure it would work for you - "loose pea style gravel that is not compact would result in limited traction. On a soft surface, such as sand, gravel, wet ground and wet grass, it may be necessary to give the Robot Trolley a little help by pushing with your own weight, especially to begin with and when maneuvering up an incline."
Think I'd want a demo if I was spending that kind of money.

[cdbxyz]

I was consideringone of these to help manoeuvre our boat around a tight corner, but if you watch videos on youtube they seem to struggle on anything less than flat, well surfaced ground so I've given it a miss as the corner is grass.

Currently looking at a Mr Shifta 3 (discontinued but available second hand) or a Multi Mover M18 which should give more options for traction.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Gazzago

I hear mixed reviews about the powered single jockey wheels and it would seem they won’t work for what I need. It’s only a 5m Brig with a 50 on the back but needs two or three to store it or get it hitched onto the car.
.

Is everything set up sensibly on the trailer? e.g. Even slightly flat tyres makes it really difficult. The boat yard where I keep mine has some huge eyes set into the floor and will move 15 tonne boats with a block and tackle. If I had a problem at home I'd be tempted to do that and/or look at adding a removable front tow bar for manoeuvrability. However the wee robot has potential - if you video where it needs to go and what it would be moving - will they offer a money back guarantee?

Originally Posted by jakew009

With the little robot thing, I think the trick would be to get a massive amount of weight on it...

...It’s telling even the smallest model is rated for 300kg. I bet they have a huge pile of weights stacked at the front of the caravans in their demo videos…

If you look at the demo video its not actually mounted to the jockey wheel/tow ball but rather is on a special bracket much further back where it will have more load.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Gazzago

It’s easy enough to move the axle on a boat trailer to change the balance over the tow coupling. My trailer is actually too nose heavy at the moment really.

I already have a ride on mower. There isn’t room to use it to manoeuvre the trailer unfortunately. But I like your thinking [emoji1303].

I’ll probably take a chance on the single jockey wheel. Much cheaper initially and I can probably sell it on if it doesn’t work.

If you have a ride on mower a front mounted tow bar would transform the maneuverability of it & the trailer & might get you where you want to be. Easy enough to make up a bracket & give it a try before spending big on something else that may not work

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by beamishken

If you have a ride on mower a front mounted tow bar would transform the maneuverability of it & the trailer & might get you where you want to be. Easy enough to make up a bracket & give it a try before spending big on something else that may not work

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

A quad bike would be nice if the lawn isn't very big.

[vitalspark]

Would a towbar mounted, remote controlled winch, used in conjunction with a couple of ground anchors work? You'd also need a simple fabricated bracket attached to a spare towball, with a rope guide eyelet.

[Gazzago]

Thanks for all the replies and ideas.

The parking area isn’t loose gravel as such. More compacted. It may be possible to go the winch route but unlikely due to the forwards and backwards needed to get it into place.

It’s interesting that no one has actually got a tracked mover on here. But they do cost a fortune I suppose!

Other movers are an option I’ll look at.

[scrambler]

This one is workiing on shingle but you would have to make it yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xZKA7rPNdU

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by scrambler

This one is workiing on shingle but you would have to make it yourself!

DIY Sealegs

[jakew009]

Originally Posted by Limecc

DIY Sealegs

I'm still convinced this is the answer

Just don't like the layouts of any of the sealegs ribs

[Gazzago]

Ha ha well there’s two solutions… a little out of my price bracket though [emoji1].

[Matt]

I had a pukka 4 wheel trailer mover (forget the brand now) with the driving gears directly onto the trailer tyres.

My rig weight is somewhere up towards the legal towing limit (just under 3 tonnes maybe - I dunno). Even the trailer mover (rated @ 3.5 tonnes) couldn't turn it - it could really only do backwards & forwards, struggled with corners so much so that I used it once, took it off & sold it. Now just use front hitch on the LR.

So I think any of the jockey wheel or similar jobs - limit yourself a lightweight 2 wheeled rig only (which I see your righ might well be). Even then, traction will be prob an issue.

[Limecc]

Came across this photo by chance. Anyone recognise where taken?

[Iankristy]

What kind of vehicle do you use to tow? In a past life I installed static caravans and had a 4x4 with front mounted removable tow ball(I actually had 3 Left right and Center). Pushing(or pulling) from the front is vastly superior for manoeuvre ability. Occasionally having to unhitch and reposition vehicle. If it’s a possible option it’s a good one.