A caravan mover makes tight spots and tricky driveways much less stressful. The battery you choose matters because movers draw a lot of power in short bursts, and a battery that is too small can struggle, especially on slopes or soft ground.
In this guide, we will cover common battery sizes for motor movers, what affects the right choice, and the key checks to make sure your setup is compatible.
For many single axle caravans with a standard 12V mover, a good starting point is a 12V deep cycle battery around 100Ah.
For larger vans, tandem axles, steeper driveways, or frequent mover use, stepping up to around 120Ah to 200Ah can give you more buffer and more consistent performance.
Caravan movers pull high current, often far more than lights, pumps, or fridges. That means the new battery needs to handle:
A battery can have plenty of amp hours on paper, but still be a poor match if it cannot deliver the current your mover demands.
These are practical ranges that suit many setups. Always check your mover manual for minimum requirements.
A smaller battery can work for light single axle vans on level ground, but it may struggle sooner on slopes, soft ground, or repeated moves. If you want more confidence on slopes or longer manoeuvres, go bigger within what your battery tray and charging system can support.
Before you buy, check these details.
Focus on battery size, battery capacity, and battery type. A motor mover needs a caravan battery that can deliver high current, not just run led lights and a water pump.
Deep cycle batteries are the best starting point because they handle regular discharge. An agm battery is a popular option because it is sealed, maintenance free, and capable of strong power delivery. Lead acid batteries can also be suitable if they are good quality and correctly sized. A lithium battery can be a great upgrade because it is light and often holds power better under load, but check mover manufacturers advice and make sure your power supply and charger are compatible before switching.
Twin axle vans and heavier caravans usually need more capacity because the mover draws more energy when turning and pushing weight. If you are running appliances through an inverter, staying off grid, or using a solar panel to stay powered longer, you may need a larger capacity or a battery bank, and sometimes more than one battery.
Avoid using a car battery for mover batteries. A car battery is designed for cranking amps, not deep cycle discharge, so battery life can suffer. Match the battery to your van weight, mover model, available space, and power requirements so you get reliable mover performance.
How many batteries you need depends on what you want your caravan battery system to do. If you only need power for a motor mover and the basics like led lights and a water pump, one good quality deep cycle battery is often enough for many caravans, especially single axle setups.
If you are staying off grid, running appliances through an inverter, or you want longer battery life between charges, a battery bank with two batteries can make more sense. Extra capacity gives you more usable energy and helps you stay powered for longer, but you need the space, the right charger, and the cabling to match.
For mover batteries on twin axle vans or heavier caravans, adding capacity can also help because the mover can draw high current and higher max current under load. In those cases, two batteries can reduce voltage drop and keep the mover operating more consistently, as long as everything is connected correctly and your power supply is suitable.
If you are choosing between one larger battery and two smaller battery options, the simplest approach is usually one correctly sized battery with enough capacity, provided it fits your setup and your charging system can support it.
Most people use a caravan mover in short bursts, so it is less about hours and more about having enough punch when you need it. A healthy 100Ah to 120Ah battery is often enough for normal manoeuvring, but repeated repositioning or inclines can chew through capacity quickly.
If you often park on a slope, or you regularly move the van a long distance on the mover, sizing up gives you more peace of mind.
If this is happening, the fix may be a larger battery, a healthier battery, improved cabling, or all three.
Check your mover manual for minimum battery specs, then choose a quality deep cycle battery with enough capacity for your van weight and how you travel.
If you want a hand choosing the right option, tell us your caravan size, axle setup, and mover brand. You can also browse our selection of caravan movers.
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