GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #18 | Page 40

WHEEL OF FORTUNE WORDS: MAX TAYLOR CARAVAN MOVERS ARE BECOMING EVER-MORE POPULAR. WE PUT THE V2+ OPTITEC WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL WHEEL TO THE TEST. You know the story: you’ve arrived at the holiday park and been given directions to your site. And, would you believe it, they’ve given you the tightest, most awkward site to access in the entire park. It’s happy hour and folks are gathering. They’ve also noticed your predicament and the less charitable among them are lining up to enjoy the show. And we recently had the opportunity to test the Optitec V2+ on our office Goldstream Wing III camper. We took the camper and Optitec to a local carpark and tested it against four main criteria: manoeuvrability; the range of the wireless remote control; ease of set-up and use; and the ability of the wheel to maintain traction on different terrain types. Now, I happen to be pretty good at caravan reversing and, being a noble chap, have come to the aid of a vanner or two in the above-mentioned situation. But, as you would know, there are devices available, known generically as caravan movers, that make the precise manoeuvring of vans, from small to large, as easy as pie. The Optitec can replace the standard jockey wheel on most vans; however, if the van weighs more than 1500kg, dual jockey wheel clamps are required. A clamping system that bolts separately to the A-frame can be bought separately. Nothing will take the wind out of the sales of the van-park lookie-loos quite like a caravan mover. 40 gorv.com.au The Optitec draws 12V power from the van’s onboard battery – the power-supply leads are provided. Once the shaft of the unit is clamped to the A-frame, and the van’s hand brake is