Caravan manoeuvring aid - a brief overview
Easy to manoeuvre
A manoeuvring aid makes parking your caravan much easier. Using a remote control, you can move your caravan into even the smallest parking space like a radio-controlled car. Here, I explain which types of manoeuvring drives are available and which one is right for your caravan.
Table of contents
- Important questions in advance
- How does a manoeuvring aid work?
- Fully automatic manoeuvring drive
- Semi-automatic manoeuvring drive
- Practical alternative to a manoeuvring aid: the Robot Trolley
- The battery for the drive
- Which manufacturers make manoeuvring drives and how much do they cost?
- Conclusion: a worthwhile investment
Important questions in advance
- Do I have a single-axle or twin-axle caravan?
- How much weight needs to be moved? The permissible total weight of your caravan plays an important role here.
- How much additional payload can I still carry? You must include the weight of the manoeuvring drive and the battery in the payload.
- Do I also need to manoeuvre other trailers?
How does a manoeuvring aid work?
A manoeuvring aid consists of two small motors that can drive the wheels of your caravan separately. These electric motors are mounted on the chassis, directly in front of or behind the wheels of the trailer. For manoeuvring, the motors are pressed against the tyres either manually or automatically. If the device has enough grip, it makes the wheels roll. With most manoeuvring drives for single-axle caravans, turning on the spot is possible. Depending on the drive, this can be very precise and smooth, but also somewhat rougher.
Fully automatic manoeuvring drive
The motors are automatically pressed against the tyres by remote control
The main switch must be switched on for operation
Easy manoeuvring by remote control
The motors are also disengaged at the touch of a button
Semi-automatic manoeuvring drive
Main switch operated at the touch of a button
Manual engagement of the drive rollers either by crank or lever
Manoeuvring by remote control
Crank until the motors are in contact with the tyres
You can find fully and semi-automatic manoeuvring aids here
Here you can find the Berger manoeuvring aid in the Berger online shop.
Here we show you how to install the Berger manoeuvring aid yourself with ease
Practical alternative to a manoeuvring aid: the Robot Trolley
The great thing about the Robot Trolley is that you can use it not only for a caravan, but also for a boat trailer or horse trailer. A metal bracket is clamped onto the V-drawbar and remains permanently mounted. There is an adapter for tubular drawbars. The Camper Trolley is attached at these points and pulls the trailer in all directions on its heavy-duty rubber tracks like a small tracked vehicle.
The Robot Trolley is very easy to attach under the caravan drawbar and moves your caravan like a small tracked vehicle.
Here you can find the Camper Trolley in the Berger online shop.
The battery for the drive
Your manoeuvring aid does not come with a battery. Various manufacturers offer suitable power sets. These are very practical, as they usually include a battery with mounting, a charger, terminal and connection clamps. Be sure to pay attention to the weight, because you also need to include the installed battery in your payload. Whether you choose a lithium, gel or AGM battery is up to you. Here we explain exactly what the advantages and disadvantages of the different battery types are.
In any case, with the right battery you will get enough energy to move your caravan at a maximum speed of around 17 cm per second: that is still 0.6 km/h.
Here you can find suitable batteries for your manoeuvring drive
Here you can find all vehicle batteries in the Berger online shop.
Which manufacturers make manoeuvring drives and how much do they cost?
Manoeuvring drives are manufactured by well-known brands such as Berger, Truma, Al-ko, Reich and Enduro. Prices range from around 700 euros to more than 2,500 euros. Fully automatic drives are often more expensive than semi-automatic manoeuvring aids. The battery is not included in this price.
If you carry out the installation yourself, you can save between 300 and 400 euros. Here we show you how to install the Berger manoeuvring aid on your caravan with ease.
You can find fully and semi-automatic manoeuvring aids here
Conclusion: a worthwhile investment
A manoeuvring drive is certainly a bit of a luxury when camping, but for large, heavy caravans it is a worthwhile investment that makes parking and manoeuvring much easier.
