Hi all, This was the subject on a different forum. Some of us are gray nomads with the associated back problems, but we still need to park our vans which can be a a pain in the proverbial %&&^%.
I have invented the "Aussie Mova", which is the only reasonably priced (IMHO) caravan mover in Australia. Not yet on the market, but will be soon.
I am happy to discuss this on the forum or by private email or PM, but I'd prefer the forum. In due time, I will advertise my "Aussie Mova" on this web site, not quite ready for it yet.
I'm surprised someone hasn't come up with a simple arrangement similar to that used for pushing light aircraft into and out of the hangar. It's just a handle type doover that attaches to two spigots or hooks on the nosewheel strut.
I'm not referring to the ratchet type jockey wheel, I'm familiar with them as I have one, but something simple that hooks onto a normal jockey wheel that can push/pull and steer at the same time.
-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 26th of January 2010 06:27:45 AM
ibbo said
08:22 AM Jan 26, 2010
Mentioning Aircraft movements,we always moved our a/c around with a tractor or other vehicle that you could mount a tow ball on the front of.A bull bar or similar ,and it makes life so much easier pushing the Van or whatever than pulling it.Pushing you can park the van on a sixpence(ok 5 cent piece for the Kids).Just my thought on the matter.
gray nomad said
10:03 AM Jan 26, 2010
That's a good point, jimricho.
But lets consider that the aircraft would be moved most of the time by very able bodied persons on an even concrete tarmac and the weight of such an aircraft would be much less than a single axle caravan.
Empty weight Piper Cherokee: 1201 lb (544 kg) as per Wikipedia.
Regards Frank
dave06 said
10:55 AM Jan 26, 2010
old mate of mine started out using his ride on mower to get the van in the shed, course the obvious happened so we "rebuilt it" with a little "extra" grunt
made up a little tractor for him, the shed is around the back of his house and at a difficult angle and his neck is not so good, the tractor performs very well
gray nomad said
11:27 AM Jan 26, 2010
G'day Dave06,
How does your mate take his little tractor along on his travels?
Kudus to you, things like your mate's tractor are a great help, but you're still stuck once you're away in your home from "Home". I have seen some nasty "Caravan Park" parking bays, with poles and other obstacles put in the way for the unweary.
The "Aussie Mova" weighs 12kg, you can take it with you in the car or caravan boot. Saves your back and saves damage to your caravan.
Best regards to all Frank
dave06 said
12:08 PM Jan 26, 2010
you're dead right frank and it is a worry for him because of his neck and back, I think his first question to park owners is "are the sites drive through" and his holidays are based on drive through sites, thankfully there is becoming more and more of them!
as we age and our ability's lesson all things become a hassle, we have two choices, give up the things we love doing or find a different way of doing it
there are ignorant, stupid people out there that simply say "well you shouldn't be driving if you cant back it"
well I say just wait till you get a little older with a few bone problems, I am riddled with rheumatoid arthritis, a left over from the years of heavy machinery and too many rough roads in old trucks
so my time reversing is also limited, when the time comes I will have to do my research as well
justcruisin01 said
03:27 PM Jan 26, 2010
This is why i,ve had a front mount tow bar for the last 35yrs ,works very well .
brickies said
04:13 PM Jan 26, 2010
Ok I will be the first to bite what is Aussie Mova and what is it how much will it more , has the one on the web site could only more up to 1500kg. , i think i could do that on concrete my self with a pump up jockey wheel
ibbo said
05:00 PM Jan 26, 2010
Jim that is the way to go if you can mount a tow ball on the front of you vehicle.Spot on with parking,no blue,no sticky beaks and advisers.The C/P at Rainbow Beach.Qld use a little tractor to park your van for you if you have a beachfront site.All a frames have to be away from the road,very thoughtful idea.Cheers.Ibbo.
jimricho said
05:55 PM Jan 26, 2010
Hi Frank,
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking what you're doing, in fact I wish you every success with the product once you get it to the market. thegreynomads.com.au would be right in your target market for your advertising mix (sales commission? Cindy?? )
I've often thought how helpful the aircraft style towbar would be for getting my rig into position to hook on in my back yard. I would have thought there would have been significant market for such a simple and cheap arrangement given that the market would include box trailers, boat trailers, as well as campers and smaller caravans. This would be in addition to the market you're targeting with your product.
Jim
gray nomad said
07:57 PM Jan 26, 2010
Hi Jim,
Really, I did not get you wrong. I replied to you as your point was very pertinent and it was a sensible reply. I did not reply to others because I will not get into any arguments for arguments sake, it's a pointless exercise. An arrangement like you suggested would probably work ok, if 1. You are on concrete 2. Even ground 3. Strong able-bodied people are available to help. 4. You can see where you're going when reversing.
All of these handicaps and more are solved by using a motorised jockey wheel, such as the "Aussie Mova" or any other device. Once you popped a disk, it's not repairable. Then you just have to put up with the pain. I am offering a relatively cheap solution to save your back. It's not the only solution, for sure.
Thank you for your good wishes. Best regards Frank
This was the subject on a different forum.
Some of us are gray nomads with the associated back problems, but we still need to park our vans which can be a a pain in the proverbial %&&^%.
If anyone wants to, they can peruse the thread on http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6771
For more information, please look for any threads from gray.nomad there.
I have invented the "Aussie Mova", which is the only reasonably priced (IMHO) caravan mover in Australia. Not yet on the market, but will be soon.
I am happy to discuss this on the forum or by private email or PM, but I'd prefer the forum.
In due time, I will advertise my "Aussie Mova" on this web site, not quite ready for it yet.
Best regards to all
Frank
Its called a Landcruiser .
Thanks anyway ;
Well said
I'm not referring to the ratchet type jockey wheel, I'm familiar with them as I have one, but something simple that hooks onto a normal jockey wheel that can push/pull and steer at the same time.
-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 26th of January 2010 06:27:45 AM
But lets consider that the aircraft would be moved most of the time by very able bodied persons on an even concrete tarmac and the weight of such an aircraft would be much less than a single axle caravan.
Empty weight Piper Cherokee: 1201 lb (544 kg) as per Wikipedia.
Regards
Frank
How does your mate take his little tractor along on his travels?
Kudus to you, things like your mate's tractor are a great help, but you're still stuck once you're away in your home from "Home".
I have seen some nasty "Caravan Park" parking bays, with poles and other obstacles put in the way for the unweary.
The "Aussie Mova" weighs 12kg, you can take it with you in the car or caravan boot. Saves your back and saves damage to your caravan.
Best regards to all
Frank
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking what you're doing, in fact I wish you every success with the product once you get it to the market. thegreynomads.com.au would be right in your target market for your advertising mix (sales commission? Cindy??
I've often thought how helpful the aircraft style towbar would be for getting my rig into position to hook on in my back yard. I would have thought there would have been significant market for such a simple and cheap arrangement given that the market would include box trailers, boat trailers, as well as campers and smaller caravans. This would be in addition to the market you're targeting with your product.
Jim
Hi Jim,
Really, I did not get you wrong. I replied to you as your point was very pertinent and it was a sensible reply.
I did not reply to others because I will not get into any arguments for arguments sake, it's a pointless exercise.
An arrangement like you suggested would probably work ok, if
1. You are on concrete
2. Even ground
3. Strong able-bodied people are available to help.
4. You can see where you're going when reversing.
All of these handicaps and more are solved by using a motorised jockey wheel, such as the "Aussie Mova" or any other device.
Once you popped a disk, it's not repairable. Then you just have to put up with the pain.
I am offering a relatively cheap solution to save your back. It's not the only solution, for sure.
Thank you for your good wishes.
Best regards
Frank