If you’ve spent plenty of time towing a caravan, you’ll know getting there is only half the job. Sometimes the hardest part is those last few metres, getting the caravan backed into a tight site, down the side of the house or perfectly lined up in the shed.
That’s why we were pretty impressed when we came across the TUG V4 electric caravan mover.
It’s a remote-controlled electric jockey wheel that lets you move and position your caravan while standing right beside it. No trying to judge that fence through your mirrors, no jumping in and out of the 4WD to check your position, and a lot less pushing and pulling to get the van exactly where you want it.
Better yet, it’s made right here in WA.
We reckon it’s a great bit of gear for caravan and touring setups, which is why we’re now stocking the TUG V4 at DAPCO Bunbury.
What is the TUG V4?
The TUG V4 is a battery-powered, remote-controlled electric jockey wheel that attaches to your caravan or trailer. Once it’s set up, its 1.2 kW motor provides the power to move the caravan while you control where it goes using the remote.
What we like about it is that you can stand where you actually need to be.
Instead of sitting behind the wheel of your 4WD trying to work out how close the back of the caravan is to a wall, fence or another vehicle, you can stand outside and watch it as you move. When you’re dealing with a tight space, that extra visibility makes a big difference.
It’s one of those products that makes you wonder why manoeuvring a caravan needs to be so difficult in the first place.
Making Caravan Manoeuvring Easier
Anyone who regularly tows knows there’s not always plenty of room to get your caravan into position. Whether it’s trees and neighbouring caravans at a caravan park or a narrow driveway and tight shed at home, getting a large caravan exactly where you want it can be tricky.
Normally, that means going back and forth with the 4WD, getting out to check your clearance and having another go.
With the TUG V4, you can manoeuvre the caravan remotely while standing outside where you can actually see your surroundings. You get a much better view of your clearances and more control over those small adjustments.
For us, that control is one of the coolest things about it.
Take a closer look at the TUG V4.
Why the TUG V4 Suits Touring and 4WD Owners
We see some pretty well-thought-out touring setups come through the DAPCO workshop.
People spend a lot of time getting their 4WD and caravan right for the way they travel, suspension, towing equipment, tyres and all the other gear that makes touring easier.
The TUG V4 fits into that same category for us. It’s not about adding something to the setup just for the sake of it. It solves a problem that plenty of caravan owners regularly deal with.
Easier caravan storage at home
Sometimes the tightest caravan site you’ll encounter is your own driveway.
If you store the caravan down the side of the house, inside a shed or somewhere that doesn’t leave enough room for your 4WD, being able to move the caravan independently can make getting it in and out much easier.
You can stand near the caravan, see where it needs to go and guide it into position with the remote.
More control at the campsite
The same goes when you’re travelling.
Not every campsite is going to be wide, flat and easy to access. When you’re working around trees, other caravans or tight park sites, having another way to position the caravan can be incredibly handy.
And at around 19 kg, the TUG V4 is compact enough to bring along as part of your touring gear, so it isn’t limited to moving the caravan around at home.
Built for substantial caravan loads
For something relatively compact, there’s a fair bit behind it too.
The TUG V4 uses a 1.2 kW motor, making it a powerful single-wheel caravan mover built to handle substantial caravan applications.
It also uses an inflatable tyre to help provide traction and has deliberately been kept simple, with an uncomplicated design and very little maintenance required.
Of course, caravans and touring setups vary considerably, so it’s still important to make sure the TUG is suitable for the weight of your caravan and where you intend to use it.
What Makes the TUG V4 Different?
We’re always keen to see good gear being built locally, so the fact the TUG V4 comes from a West Australian owned and operated company was another big tick for us.
Each TUG V4 is individually built in WA using locally sourced and imported components and is rigorously tested before leaving the factory.
They’re also the only electric jockey wheel manufacturer displaying the Australian Made and Owned logo.
There are some impressive features packed into the TUG T4:
- 1.2 kW motor providing plenty of moving power
- Remote control so you can stand where you have the best view
- Inflatable tyre for maximum traction
- Weighs approximately 19 kg
- Simple design with minimal maintenance
- Quick and easy to set up
- 10-year warranty
- Australian made and owned
What we particularly like is that it hasn’t been overcomplicated. You attach it, grab the remote and use it when you need it.
Whether that’s getting the caravan into the shed at home, making a small adjustment at the caravan park or working your way into a particularly awkward spot, it’s simply another tool that can make travelling with a caravan that little bit easier.
Come Check Out the TUG V4 at DAPCO Bunbury
We get to see plenty of interesting 4WD, towing and touring products, and the TUG V4 is one we’re genuinely excited to now have at DAPCO.
It’s clever, straightforward, built here in WA and solves a problem that just about every caravan owner has encountered at some point.
If you’re building your touring setup, regularly squeezing your caravan into a tight spot at home, or just like the idea of having more control when you arrive at camp, come in and have a chat to us about the TUG V4.
