Powrproducts Powrhitch
Tel 01425 283293
Web www.powrwheel.com
Price £730 (battery not included)
Weight 23kg
Warranty 5 years
Extras Tractor tread tyres (£40)
This unit is sold on a sale or return basis, so if you are unhappy with the end result, you can return it for a refund or a replacement. The hitch-fitted Powrhitch, like the Mr Shifta 3, has two drag wheels to allow you to pull it into position, since attempting to drive the unit into position would unnecessarily drain the battery. As is also the case with the Mr Shifta, the Powrhitch has adaptor plates that you fit yourself, which are specific to the type of hitch your caravan has.
A seven-pin plug mounted on the front of the mover's battery box lets you recharge the battery without having to detach it. This also lets you power the unit from the leisure battery, although you get better performance with the weight of the unit's own battery bearing down and improving its grip. The battery is not included, which adds around another £50 onto the price. On the plus side, the company offers a price match, so if you can get a written quote for a similar product, Powrhitch will match it.
The handle has three different positions to give users a clear view when steering, although the choice of position is determined by a fiddly peg-and-hole assembly. Also, the handle has no 'up' position to make for compact storage: instead, it sits at an angle. The handle is removable, however.
There is a choice of tractor tread and road-tyre tread, and at £40 the tractor tread is more expensive than that of rivals. The painted metal casing looks less durable and more prone to flaking than other models.
Verdict
The high price, combined with the lack of battery, overrides the decent warranty and price-match offer. Also, this is not the most practical type of mover.

Big Foot
Tel 01335 345494.
Web www.motormover.com
Price £615
Weight 15kg
Warranty 5 years (motor); 2 years (parts)
Extras Tractor tread tyre (£10). Clamp-on bracket (£40). Hitch-fit bracket (£72). Transport wheels (£15)
Powered by your caravan's leisure battery, the Big Foot is best suited to caravans with the jockey wheel located on the outside of the A-frame: simply take out the van's wheel while hitched to the car, and the Big Foot unit slots into the clamp.
For another £40, you can specify a bracket that allows use with centrally mounted jockey wheels, although this cannot be used on vans with A-frame fairings. With or without the bracket, you will need to unwind the steadies to replace the jockey wheel, which can be an added hassle. A third option involves a ball hitch that clips onto the bracket, and this means users needn't remove the jockey wheel or use the steadies. This option costs an extra £72.
Because it doesn't have its own battery, the Big Foot is really light in weight at just 15kg. This means it can be taken away on holiday without eating into your payload, and can easily be lifted into the boot of your car for use on site. It's also easy to steer because there is only one wheel to direct. However, this does mean it offers less grip than A-frame movers with two wheels, although the long handle gives you good vision down the side of the van The Big Foot can also be used to move twin-axles: users need to wind the nose up to take some of the bulge off the tyres of the front axle, so the Big Foot has to overcome only the rear set of tyres. A minor problem that could occur as a result of this is that owners might be tempted to crank the nose too high, causing the lowered caravan rear to scrape the ground on a steeply sloping drive.
The key to using the Big Foot is keeping the downwards force on the nose of the caravan to give optimum grip on the tyre. You will need to drive the van nose forward when going downhill, or there will be no downwards force on the unit's driving wheel. However, on a steep slope this means there will be substantial driving force bearing down towards the user and since the device cannot make use of the tourer's brakes, the van could pick up too much momentum as it moves forwards.
Verdict
Easy to steer and use, which is great for older users, plus its light weight means it can be taken away for use on site. But keeping the grip on the driven wheel is sometimes a problem.

Mr Shifta 3
Tel 0115 973 1335
Web www.shifta.com
Price £692
Weight 44kg (including battery)
Warranty 4 years (unit); 2 years (labour)
Extras Battery (£69). Turf Pro 12-inch tyres (£25).Chevron tyres (£18.98). Reversing bracket (£12)
This is the newest version of the Mr Shifta, which has 25% more power than the Mr Shifta 2. This unit comes with its own battery pack, so no drilling of your caravan is required. However, the extra weight of the battery does mean it's really just for use on the driveway.
The downward force the battery pack exerts on the unit's driven wheels improves the grip and gives better performance on your driveway. The battery itself is a semi-traction type that the company claims is better set up for the short bursts of energy required to move a caravan; it says that since a leisure battery is designed for sustained low-current consumption, it can be damaged by powering caravan moving.
The Mr Shifta is fitted with a clever bracket that engages with the A-frame's front plate. This means that when reversing, it hits the front plate and thus engages the van's brakes, which helps take some of its weight, useful for downhill manoeuvres. The bracket can then be twisted around so it will not engage the van's brakes when going uphill. The company does not advise that the very elderly or very frail buy the Mr Shifta. This is because the device needs a fair amount of brute force to steer it. It also admits that Mr Shifta doesn't perform so well on gravel surfaces, because the wheels tend to spin. Also, the short handle means that in some instances it's difficult to see along the side of the van.
Having two tyres means a greater surface area is making contact with the ground, which boosts the grip. The Mr Shifta comes with two auxiliary wheels so it can be dragged into position, and a hinged handle means that it won't take up too much room in your garage.
If fitted with Turf Pro tyres, this unit can also turn a twin-axle on its axis, without raising the van off one axle. The powerful motor and super-grip rubber can drive one axle and overcome the resistance of the second.
Verdict
The only mover recommended by AL-KO, the Mr Shifta is a very competent device, and the bracket that utilises the van's brakes is an excellent feature. However, steering it takes some effort.

Powrwheel
Tel 01424 283293
Web www.powrwheel.com
Price £600
Weight 23kg
Warranty 5 years
Extras Tractor wheel £20
Another product from the Powrproducts stable, this device works in a similar way to the Big Foot, by replacing the jockey wheel with a motorised wheel. This model looks more basic than the Big Foot, sharing the same white metal casing as the Powrhitch, which looks less durable. It's much easier to manoeuvre than the Powrhitch, however, since less effort is needed to direct the tiller, but the Powrhitch is easier to attach. Because you have to remove the jockey wheel, the Powrwheel requires you to lower your van's steadies first.
This device has the same problems with grip as the Big Foot. The caravan must be driven in a way that maintains pressure on the Powrwheel to ensure optimum purchase.
At 23kg, the Powrwheel is also quite a heavy device, which limits it to home use. On the plus side, as with all Powrproducts, the Powrwheel is covered by a five-year guarantee and a price-match promise.
Verdict
It's easy to steer, but it's heavy, and maintaining sufficient grip can be problematic.

Powrtouch
Tel 01425 283292
Web www.powrwheel.com
Price & weight Model 3, £975, 37kg. Model 4 (twin axle), £1140, 40kg. Model 6 (twin, twin axle) £1745, 75kg.
Warranty 5 years
Cross actuator £50 (FOC in all twin-axle models)
Fitting £60
Crossbar depth 30mm
The chassis-mounted Powrtouch 3 has just been upgraded to include lightweight, high-strength, steel alloy rollers. These cost £20, and can also be fitted to older models. However, Powrproducts recommends you get this done professionally for £30, bringing the total cost to £50.
A Powrbar is now available for buyers who need to squeeze their van in against a wall; this way both rollers can be applied from one side only. Alternatively, an electronic cross actuator can be bought, although it is operated via a switch in the battery box rather than by remote control.
The company offers two chassis-mounted twin-axle movers. The Model 4 has two motors and rollers and turns the van using both rollers: the outer wheel spins at normal speed, and the inner wheel pulses to assist the turn.
The Model 6 has one roller and motor per wheel and is aimed at users who need to move their twin-axle tourer in demanding situations. Four motors means there will be drive to all wheels even on the bumpiest ground. As with all Powrproducts, the firm will price match any rival product. They also have a network of around 60 dealerships nationwide, so arranging fitting shouldn't be a problem. Fitting costs are also fairly cheap, and there is a good aftersales service.
Verdict
A good range of value products, all of which are, unfortunately, a little on the heavy side.

Motor Mover Plus
Tel 01335 345494
Web www.motormover.com
Price £998 (single axle), £1198 (twin axle)
Weight 35kg
Warranty 5 years (parts and labour)
Cross actuator Standard
Fitting At Derbyshire factory, free. At home, £125
Crossbar depth 30mm
This chassis-mounted unit comes from the maker of the Big Foot jockey wheel mover, and has three really user-friendly features. First off, compared to other similar models, it gives good ground clearance, protruding by only 30mm as compared to the 70mm protrusion of the Reich Secondly, its rollers can be easily removed; simply loosen the two nuts behind the motor and the rollers slide out for cleaning. The third point in its favour is that by unclipping the wires, its gearbox and motors can be detached. So if you know you won't need to do any tricky manoeuvring at your destination, you can save 25kg on your payload by keeping the mechanicals at home.
The rollers themselves are made from rutted steel, which the manufacturer claims is stronger than the grip-compound bonded to other movers' rollers, which can chip off over time. The rollers are engaged to the wheels using an actuator, which comes as standard as part of the package.
If you lack the DIY competence, you can have the Motor Mover Plus fitted at your home for £125, or at Motor Mover's Derbyshire premises, free of charge. If you're prepared to travel, this makes for a very attractive package.
Another version of the Motor Mover Plus is available for use with twin axle caravans. This model's electronics will turn the outside wheel, while slowly pulsing the inner wheel of that axle. This will turn the caravan but the turn will be wider than that of rivals, which reverse the inside wheel.
The only downside to this model is that its remote control is somewhat confusing to use. It is a very simple unit with six buttons coloured red, green and amber. It becomes clear with practise, but arrows on the buttons would help you know which direction you were turning the wheels.
Verdict
The slightly confusing remote control is more than compensated for by excellent ground clearance, detachable parts, plus the bonus of free fitting at the company's Derbyshire-based factory.

Rhyno Caravan Mover
Tel 0870 850 4479
Web www.rhyno-uk.com
Price Single-axle £759. Twin-axle £899
Weight 29kg
Warranty 5 years
Cross actuator No
Fitting £99
Cross bar depth 28mm
Rhyno's Caravan Mover uses all-British parts and can be fitted as a DIY project, saving customers money. The kit has only 12 bolts to tighten and just three tools are needed to complete the job. The company claims that 70-80% of its customers fit the Rhyno themselves in around two hours.
At 28mm, this unit protrudes the least of all the models tested here, so potholes, kerbstones and bumpy fields should pose little threat to it. It doesn't have a cross actuator, since the maker feels that two rutted steel rollers will be too heavy for some of their older customers, and should they slip while applying them, the springing wrench could be dangerous. The lack of an actuator poses problems, however, if your caravan is in a tight space up against a wall.
A twin-axle model is also offered where, again, the electronic package is the main difference. But with the Rhyno, when a turn is invoked, one wheel is rotated forward in a normal manner and the opposite wheel is stepped in the reverse direction. This process helps the turn of the twin-axle mover to be tighter and is fully automatic when a forward turn is commanded from the handset However, the Rhyno is the cheapest of these devices on the market, and at 29kg it is also the lightest.
The handset is the same as that used by motor Mover Plus so the same minor criticisms apply – it would be clearer to use if the buttons marked up in some way.
Verdict
Low price, low weight and good ground clearance combine to make a great packages: it's a shame that there's no cross actuator.