Torque rating is the only accurate method by which to compare various trailer movers to really determine what you are buying and make an honest comparison between price and capacity.

Torque is the tendency of a force to cause a rotation. It is the product of the force and the distance from the center of rotation to the point where the force is applied. Think of the center of a drive axle to the outside radius of a tire on your automobile.

Torque is the force applied to the edge of the tire and is the only thing that counts when evaluating a trailer mover’s ability to move a load. It can be measured in pounds of force times feet of distance with the most common term being used in the United States “foot pounds of torque”. The scientific community rates torque in terms of Newton Meters of torque. For you science buffs, One (1) Newton Meter of Torque is equal to .73756 Foot Pound of Torque.

There is no difference between inch pounds of torque and foot pounds of torque other than the fact that inch pounds look and sound a lot larger than foot pounds. But simply divide inch pounds of torque by 12 and you are back to foot pounds. 400 inch pounds of torque is equal to 33.33 foot pounds of torque. Or take foot pounds and multiply by 12. The important thing to remember is to be sure you are making your comparison equally or as the old saying goes, “compare apples to apples”.

So to evaluate what you are buying, divide the foot pounds of torque (or inch pounds) into the cost of the product to arrive at your cost per foot pound of torque purchased. This is what counts. If a trailer mover costs $900.00 and has 24 foot pounds of torque, your cost per foot pound of torque purchased is $900 divided by 24 or $37.50 per foot pound of torque.

7.         My RV weighs 4,000 pounds. If I purchase a trailer mover rated at 4,000 pounds will I be OK?

This is another one of those sometimes difficult questions like getting over a 1” concrete lip (see question 5). There are many answers to this question and the quick answer would be “in a perfect world . . .yes” and in the real world “absolutely not!”. So what do we mean by the phrase “in a perfect world”. Let’s try and explain it this way.

If you store your RV in your garage for instance, and if you have an absolutely flat driveway at your garage entrance, if you have exactly the correct tire pressure in your RV tires, if you have unloaded everything that did not come with the RV originally (groceries, water, kid’s toy’s, etc.) you will in all likelihood be able to use a 4,000 pound capacity machine to move your 4,000 pound RV into your garage. That would be a perfect world. But why take the risk to save a few dollars?

Ok, we admit that was a simplistic answer because none of us live in a perfect world. Now, let’s look at the real world.

The real world is a world filled with variables, unknowns, curve balls being thrown at us all of the time and many other things we never expected to happen but they did. A Murphy’s Law paradise.

Obviously, with a 4,000 pound RV and a 4,000 pound rated trailer mover, you have no margin for any variables in the equation, either planned or unplanned.

Let’s go to another nemesis, ranked right up there with the evil 1” concrete curb. The next most common nemesis would be the slope or grade over which you travel. It has a great impact over your decision of how much capacity to purchase to be safe.

Of course you know that when you encounter a hill in your automobile, you have to press on the accelerator, apply more power, to make the car climb the hill. Why? Because the car moving on a flat surface, at a steady rate of speed, has more apparent weight or meets with more resistance on a grade because of gravity. Not only are you moving the load, you are both moving and lifting the load.

You can readily see that the 4,000 pound trailer mover and the 4,000 pound RV scenario is doomed to fail if you factor a grade into the equation.

Power Wheel USA recommends that you purchase a machine with sufficient capacity which will provide the needed extra margin for the variables you encounter. There is no set formula for this but we will work with you on a one on one basis to determine which machine will best handle your particular situation. That is why on our customer inquiry form, a primary question we ask concerns the grade over which you plan to move your trailer.

As a general rule of thumb, we will always advise you to purchase a mover where the weight of the trailer being moved represents approximately 70% - 75% of the rated capacity of the machine. That way you have capacity to spare.

We have now added a new feature in our "Trailer Tips" section that let's you, with reasonable accuracy, compute the effect of a grade on your particular trailer, to assist you in determining which machine is right for you. We've designed an on-line computer for this purpose which is easy to use. CLICK HERE

8.         What if I find the Powrwheel or Powrhitch too heavy to lift to and from its storage?

Both the Powrwheel and Powrhitch come with taxi wheels enabling you to easily move the machine from its place of storage to your trailer by simply pressing down on the handle.

9.        What direction can I move my RV or boat trailer when any of your trailer movers are fitted to it?

For all three types, The Powrwheel, The Powrhitch and The Powrtouch can be moved in forward, reverse and also spin on its axis if required if you have a single axle. If you have a tandem axle trailer, changes in direction can be accomplished by a series of back and forth moves of approximately 30 degrees each. It is virtually impossible to turn a tandem axle trailer on its axis using a trailer mover. Only one axle can act as the pivot point.

10.         How do Power Wheel products stop?

For the Powrwheel and Powrhitch models, when your release the operating switch an internal braking system combined with the reverse of 400 to 1 gearing will stop your trailer mover even on a slope but it is advisable to immediately use a set of quality wheel chocks for extra safety in conjunction with the Powrwheel and Powrhitch brake.

The Powrtouch stops when you lift your finger from any control button on the remote control handset, or if a button is not pressed within a predetermined period of time the Powrtouch shuts down and will need to be switched on again. If on a grade, we strongly recommend immediately setting a pair of quality wheel chocks in place for extra safety margin.

11.         How are Power Wheel products connected to the battery and what sort of battery do I need?

The Powrwheel and Powrhitch products are supplied with quick release battery clamps which take only seconds to attach to the terminals of your battery. We recommend, in all cases that you use a deep cycle battery, such as a trolling motor battery. However if you prefer the Powrhitch model is available with an optional onboard battery.

If you order the Powrhitch 2 or HD, and plan on using the internally mounted battery charger, you must use a totally sealed battery. This eliminates the need to remove the battery box cover each time you recharge the battery. Otherwise, potentially dangerous hydrogen gas can build up during the recharging process.

Here is an example of some totally sealed batteries. Note the absence of any typical "battery caps". Completely sealed batteries are either GEL or AGM composition. The Powrhitch 2 12 volt machine uses BCI Group 24 size batteries.

12.         Why don't you have point, click and purchase on your website?

Our products, as well as all powered trailer movers in general have a range of applicability in which they perform and will accomplish the required task. When a customer's intended use of the equipment falls outside that range or performance envelope, the results can be either poor performance or no performance of the task at all. In some instances, a customer's intended use can be dangerous.

An example of this would be a prospective customer having a 4,000 pound trailer. This is well within the capacity of our 12 volt Powrhitch Model 2. However, they have a 10° slope leading up to the garage where they wish to park the trailer. In this instance, the effective weight of their trailer being pushed up this slope is going to exceed the machine's capacity. We would advise the customer to not purchase our equipment. Or, we may advise purchasing our 24 volt Heavy Duty model. It's all in what the numbers show. This can only be done if the customer clearly presents their particular situation. Our inquiry form is an attempt to do this.

Our response to your inquiry through the Customer Inquiry Form is an effort on our part to determine your expectations for our equipment and advise you if the equipment is going to meet those expectations. In a point, click and purchase environment, this interaction would not occur. We want no disappointed customers as this can be time consuming and expensive for both us and you.

You are considering making a significant investment and we want to be sure we both get it right the first time.

13.       If I purchase a machine, how long does it take to get to me and how much does it cost?


How long does it take?

Unless you specify another method, your shipment will be sent to you by UPS Ground Service. Below is a map showing delivery times from our facility in Marietta, GA. The number of days indicated to your location begins on the day after UPS picks up the shipment from us and excludes weekend days. These delivery times provided by UPS and are not guaranteed by Power Wheel USA, LLC.

How much does it cost?

We can give you some general examples of estimated shipment costs to several major cities for our various products. This information is solely for the purpose of giving you an estimate of shipping charges. Your actual total shipping charges will vary from these examples depending on your specific location and the final configuration of your particular machine. For example, foam filled solid core tires add to the weight of your shipment as does the optional internal battery charger.

We do not mark up or inflate UPS shipping costs as many sellers of products do. Your cost will be comprised of actual UPS charges plus the crating surcharge (shown on our order form) to cover to cost of the plywood shipping crate and insurance. See FAQ 19 for how we pack your shipment. This plywood crate virtually guarantees your shipment arrives undamaged. To date, we’ve never had a machine damaged in transit.
 

SHIPMENTS TO RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES FROM MARIETTA, GA 30066

 ESTIMATED UPS CHARGE INCLUDING CRATING SURCHARGE and INSURANCE

(*)        Both the Powrwheel and Powrhitch trailer movers require a handle which is shipped in a cardboard box together with the plywood crate containing the machine. This box measures 36” long, 24” high and 4” thick. Though the actual weight is either 8 pounds if not including a power cable or 13 pounds including a power cable, it is rated as an oversized package and is assessed at a minimum billable weight of 30 pounds regardless of the actual weight. The charge for this handle box is added to the UPS charges for the shipping crate in determining the above sample shipment charges.

14.        Why is a tandem axle trailer difficult to turn?

This has been fully explained on our Trailer Tips page. Click here.

15.         How do I know if your product will move my trailer?

Power Wheel USA will work closely with you in determining if our equipment is suitable for your requirements so we have a complete and thorough understanding of what you want it to do. We want you to completely understand both the capabilities of our equipment and yes, its limitations.

If we conclude our equipment will not get the job done for you, we'll tell you so.

16.         How much moving time does your Powrhitch 2 with on board battery have before recharging is necessary?

The motor on the Powrhitch Model 2 has an initial draw of about 30 amps when you press the button to begin moving your trailer. Once underway, the amperage draw drops to around 10 amps per hour. Our Powrhitch Model 2 equipped with on board battery, fully charged, will provide approximately 3 - 4 hours of total moving time before the battery is exhausted. This will of course vary depending on the weight being moved and the grade or slope over which you are moving. The quality of the battery you select also plays a great role in this.

A power cable comes standard with our Powrhitch Model 2 if mounting for an on board battery is not selected. Those selecting the on board battery option can order a power cable for a small charge so that in the event you let your on board battery run down, you can use an alternate 12 volt battery source in an emergency to move your trailer.

17.        Will I have a problem attaching the Powrhitch trailer mover to my trailer coupling?

In a few instances, you will notice that no matter how hard you attempt to crank up the locking ring on your Powrhitch, you will still get some flexing between the machine and your trailer coupling on the tongue of your trailer. This can be easily remedied. Let's first understand how the Powrhitch is ideally supposed to be attached to your trailer.

The Powrhitch Models 2 and HD attach directly to your trailer coupling the same way you hook to the trailer ball on your towing vehicle. But this is where the similarity ends. While you need a good flexible connection between your towing vehicle and the trailer tongue, the relationship between your Powrhitch and your trailer coupling must be rigid with as much flexing removed from the machine as possible.

Otherwise, when you applied power to the machine, it would attempt to simply run out from under the trailer coupling. This is because the Powrhitch 2 (for example) weighs only 77 pounds. Your towing vehicle may weigh 4,000 pounds or more.

So in order to overcome the standing weight (mass) of your loaded trailer, there can be no flexing at the coupling. This is necessary to get the load moving. The same would be true with any electric powered trailer mover.

What you are trying to achieve is a completely firm and non flexing 90 degree relationship (yellow line) between the trailer coupling and the threaded post that projects upward from the Powrhitch chassis. See the photograph at the left. On some occasions, there can be an obstruction in the underside of your trailer coupling that prevents a completely firm lockup between the underside of the trailer coupling and the polycarbonate ring that sits on top of the large aluminum locking collar as seen in this picture.

In the United Kingdom and Europe, where this equipment is manufactured and used extensively, 95% of all trailers use one of three basic trailer couplings and almost all utilize a 50mm trailer ball. However, in the United States and Canada, there are literally hundreds of different trailer couplings and we use three size trailer balls; 1 7/8th", 2", and 2 5/16th". We have found that the same trailer coupling manufacturer will vary designs from year to year.

It is impossible for Power Wheel USA to catalogue in detail each and every type of trailer coupling unit that is in use in the United States today as some couplings are decades old and many of our customers do not even know the origin or make of their trailer. But we have a solution.

An example of a possible protrusion that might interfere with your obtaining a firm lockup can be seen in the photograph at the left where the red arrow is pointing. In point of fact, there can be many things that cause a protrusion from the underside of your coupling. This should not be a source of concern to you.

This in no way means that your trailer coupling is defective or is not operating properly. Many times this is simply part of the coupling locking mechanism that holds your trailer tongue securely to your trailer ball. What we need to do is make a modification to the polycarbonate ring to allow for sufficient clearance and this is a very easy process if you follow these simple steps.
 

In the operating instructions that are sent with every Powrhitch trailer mover, there is a packet of information that contains a thick cardboard ring that is cut to the exact dimensions of the polycarbonate ring that sits on top of the aluminum locking collar. Here is what you do.

1.     You first remove the trailer ball that sits on top of the threaded post by using the 10mm Allen wrench that came with your machine. See Figure A.

2.     Next you place the thick cardboard ring on top of the polycarbonate ring and replace the trailer ball. See Figure B.

3.     Following your user instructions, again hook your Powrhitch to your trailer coupling and crank up the locking collar as tightly as possible, using the 8mm Allen wrench, that came with your machine, for a pry bar. See Figure C.

The purpose of the procedure is to obtain a deep impression in the cardboard ring of the exact place and depth of the protrusion that is preventing a firm 90 degree lockup.

We then ask that you take a soft lead pencil and shade the areas where you have protrusion marks in the cardboard ring. Next, write your name on the cardboard ring in pencil and on the polycarbonate ring for identification purposes. Seal this up in a padded envelope and send both pieces to Power Wheel USA. Please include any written comments or notes on a separate piece of paper. If you feel it is necessary, please include or email attach a picture of the protrusion taken from the underside of your trailer coupling.

Upon receipt, Power Wheel USA will then make a modification to your polycarbonate ring by milling out an area sufficient enough for this to clear.

See a short YouTube Video on how we do this

We may elect, depending on the depth of the area milled out, to bond the modified ring to a second polycarbonate ring for strength if we feel it is necessary. All of this will be done at no cost to you.

Power Wheel USA will complete this modification and return this to you within 48 hours of receipt by UPS 2nd day air or U.S. Post Office Priority Mail. During this period, do not under any circumstances attempt to move your trailer with the trailer coupling resting on the bare aluminum locking collar as costly damage to the locking collar and threaded post may occur and is not covered by your warranty.
 
To date, we have not discovered a single trailer coupling that cannot be handled by this type modification to the polycarbonate ring.

18.       My trailer is light and has a tongue weight of about 100 pounds. Will I have a problem using a trailer mover?

The answer to this question lies in the fundamental way a trailer mover works. Most trailer movers weigh at or around 100 pounds maximum. In order for the drive wheels of the trailer mover to gain traction, you must have sufficient tongue weight pressing down on the drive wheels. This is true with any trailer mover on the market today.

Without sufficient tongue weight, the drive wheels will most certainly slip on grass, gravel or dirt as the torque of the wheels push aside this material attempting to move the trailer. Better traction is achieved on pavement since there is nothing for the wheels to push aside.

As you increase the tongue weight pressing down on the mover and in turn the drive wheel tires, the tires will get a better grip on the surface and slippage is substantially reduced or eliminated. Ideally, a trailer mover needs tongue weight in the range of 200 - 250 + pounds to operate efficiently off of a paved surface.

This is why we request you indicate your trailer's tongue weight on our Customer Inquiry Form. This helps us make an appropriate recommendation to you.

19.      How will you ship my equipment to me if I purchase one and how is it packed for shipment?

At Power Wheel USA, we only ship by UPS Ground Service unless you request another method.

We take pride in the manner we prepare your equipment for shipment before it is picked up by UPS for delivery to you. Let's look and how we ship the Powrhitch Model 2, our most popular model.

We first construct a special plywood shipping crate with a reinforced bottom and special wheel blocks to hold the machine in place during transit. Here is a picture.

In addition to the wheel blocks and reinforcing the bottom of the crate, we add rope handles to both sides of the shipping crate to aid in your handling of the shipment when it is received. Typically, this loaded crate will weigh between approximately 120 and 145 pounds depending on whether or not the machine was ordered with the optional enclosed battery mounting frame, optional foam filled tires or internal battery charger.

Next, we thoroughly wrap your machine beginning first with bubble wrap over all surfaces and then finishing up with multiple layers of stretch wrap until it is completely protected and encased. Here are before and after pictures of a Powrhitch Model 2 being prepared for shipment. Expanding foam packets are placed around the machine to hold it in place.

BEFORE	AFTER

The handle of your Powrhitch Model 2 receives equal care in preparation for shipment. Note the serial number written on the packaging. Each handle is custom fitted to the machine, then triple wrapped and the serial number noted on the wrapping. This assures that not only will you receive it in perfect condition, when you attach the handle, it will fit first time every time guaranteed.

We next load the crate with the machine and then pack it to the top with cushioned shipping material to assure safe transit to you.

The last thing into the box are your operating instructions, warranty papers, invoice and several adjustment tools you will need for your Powrhitch Model 2. The top is then screwed down and the UPS label affixed to the crate.

Here are machines in our shipping department awaiting pickup by UPS. On this day, two were leaving for California and one for Utah.

At Power Wheel USA, we take these extra quality steps to assure your machine will arrive with no chance of damage in transit. To date, we've never had a damaged merchandise claim on anything we shipped. We're 100% committed to your complete satisfaction with our product and the way we do business.

20.       How do you properly hook up the Powrhitch Model 2 to the trailer coupling?

When hooking up the Powrhitch Model 2 to your trailer, it is very important to follow the instructions exactly when you receive your equipment.

View a short 2 minute video clip of the hookup process CLICK HERE >>>>> For Broadband only. Others, CLICK HERE > >

	This is a close up of the threaded post, locking collar and polycarbonate plate and trailer ball of the Powrhitch Model 2 prior to hooking up to your trailer. The locking collar should be rotated down to this approximate position prior to moving the Powrhitch under the coupling of your trailer and lowering the tongue of the trailer on to the trailer ball.
	We have prepared a cut-away of a trailer coupling to give you an idea of what is happening inside the coupling when you first hook up your trailer. Here is the relationship between the Powrhitch and the trailer coupling after you have first rotated the locking collar and polycarbonate ring up against the underside of the trailer coupling.

With the cut-away removed, you can see that a gap sometimes exists between the surface of the polycarbonate ring and the underside of the trailer coupling. (see blue arrow). If you attempt to move your trailer at this point, a rotational effect ( see yellow arrow) will occur not allowing the Powrhitch to move the trailer. The machine will attempt to move out from under the coupling.

There is a very quick but important step to be followed next and should not be omitted during the hook up process. The locking collar is turned using the long end of a 8mm Allen Wrench. However, you cannot generate enough force to overcome the tongue weight which is pressing down on the trailer tongue in order to take up the gap. Tongue weight at this point can range in the 350 - 750 pound range.

For that reason, it is now necessary to crank down the jack post or jockey wheel of your trailer so that the drive wheels of the Powrhitch are slightly raised (1" - 2") off the ground and the downward pressure of the tongue weight is no longer on the machine. The final tightening of the locking collar is done at this time using the 8mm Allen wrench. What this accomplishes is to pull the trailer ball down from the dome of the coupling housing and tightly against the bottom of the coupling locking mechanism.

 

The photograph at the left clearly shows the effect of tightening the locking collar with the weight of the tongue removed from the machine. A tight and flush fitting can now be established between the underside of the coupling of your trailer and the top surface of the polycarbonate ring preventing unwanted rotation when moving the trailer. Now, lower the Powrhitch back down onto the ground and you are ready to move your trailer.

The goal in hooking your trailer to the Powrhitch is to establish a firm 90 degree locked relationship (see yellow line) between the horizontal plain of the tongue of the trailer and the threaded shaft that comes from the chassis. This process prevents unwanted rotation of the machine and provides sure and positive control when moving your trailer.

With practice, the entire hookup process can be accomplished in well under a minute.

21.      Are there some trailer couplings that cannot be made to work with the Powrhitch Model 2 and Heavy Duty trailer movers?

Yes, we have found a few types of trailer couplings where some difficulty arises because of the design of the coupling itself. These are generally known as "surge brake" type couplings and are rather easily identified by a hydraulic or brake fluid reservoir sitting on top of the coupling. These couplings apply force to an internal activation mechanism when the brakes of your towing vehicle are applied. This force then activates the trailer brakes.

Because of the fact that the Powrhitch Model 2 trailer mover attaches to the coupling by dropping down onto the ball on the top of the threaded post coming from the chassis of our machine, the same forces are applied to your surge brake mechanism when you attempt to back up your trailer. Apply power to the machine by backing up and your trailer brakes engage and you go nowhere.

Here are the models we have identified that have presented some problems.

Pacific Boat Trailers

This company manufacturers an excellent line of boat trailers. However one type of coupling they use does seem to present a problem. Here are two pictures.
 

Couplings of this nature are easily identified by the rotational slot where we have placed the yellow arrow. Some of our customers have overcome this problem by drilling a 5/16th inch hole through one side of the outer portion (shell) of the coupling housing and into the inner portion. Then, a 5/16th pull ring type locking pin is inserted which will deactivate this rotational effect when using our mover.

However, you should always consult with your boat trailer dealer or the trailer manufacturer before trying this solution. If you drill in the wrong place, you can permanently damage your coupling. Because of the wide variety of couplings on the market today, Power Wheel USA cannot offer specific instructions or advice on temporarily disabling your trailer's surge brake system. Your boat trailer dealer or the trailer manufacturer will be your best source of advice.

Some couplings already have a provision for locking out the surge brakes. You should examine your owner's manual to see if your trailer is similarly equipped.

Tie Down Engineering

This company manufacturers brake actuator couplings for trailer manufacturers. Here are a few of their units.
 

Regarding the subject of electric brakes.

We depend on our customers to know if their trailers have brakes and how they operate. Power Wheel USA cannot be familiar with every type trailer braking system there is on the market.

Many of our customers use our equipment with trailers which have electric brakes and, with the cooperation of their trailer dealer or the trailer manufacturer, they have successfully been able to wire in a solenoid deactivation switch when using our equipment. Remember, there are many differences in brake systems and each one has it's own particular nuances. If you have any doubts, check with your dealer before placing an order.
 

22.      My RV has a tongue weight of 550 pounds and when using your Powrhitch 2 on pavement I find it somewhat difficult to steer when making a direction turn. Why?

This question comes up many times and there is an easy remedy for this problem in most circumstances.

The Powrhitch 2 and HD are not equipped with a differential type transmission. Both wheels operate in unison with each other as there is no limited slip differential type mechanism. This feature is very expensive and only found on trailer movers costing $3,500 and above.

With all of the tongue weight pressing down on the machine, combined with the weight of the machine itself, there is a strong amount of friction between the tire tread surface and the pavement. This is what causes difficulty in turning.

But as critical as tongue weight is to the process of moving your trailer, the good news is that you probably do not need nearly as much tongue weight as you have. It's not a case where more is better. It's a case of where just enough tongue weight to get the job is all the tongue weight you need.

OK . . . . How do you lessen the amount of tongue weight?

If your trailer is already equipped with a crank up and down jockey wheel, as opposed to a rectangular jack drop leg pad, simply crank down the jockey wheel and let it support a portion of the tongue weight pressing down on the Powrhitch. How much you crank down on the jockey wheel is a matter of finding that point where you maintain adequate tongue weight for purposes of traction and not more than that. The formula will be different if you are operating on gravel, grass or dirt. It's a matter of experimentation.

If your trailer is equipped with a rectangular metal jack drop leg pad, it is usually clipped and pinned inside or outside the jockey post tube and easily removed. You can contact your RV dealer and they in all likelihood will have a jockey wheel end piece which will fit your jockey post.

Most RVs come with the rectangular jack drop leg pad whereas most boats come with a jockey wheel.

You can find these on the internet. One good source of supply is Northern Tool and Equipment.

www.northerntool.com

Here is an example of what we're talking about.

 

JACK DROP LEG PAD			JOCKEY WHEEL

Click here to submit an inquiry.