How to Use a Trailer Dolly
A travel trailer dolly is a very useful tool if you own a travel trailer that you need to park in a tight space or move around your yard. Moving a travel trailer around your yard or getting it into the parking position using your towing vehicle can be very hard and time-consuming because you’ll need to turn and move many times. You’ll most likely need a spotter as well to make sure you don’t bump into anything while turning in a narrow space. A travel trailer dolly allows you to move your travel trailer around without the help of a vehicle and makes the job of parking into a tight space much easier for you.
A travel trailer dolly is a device that allows you to move your travel trailer without a truck. It’s very useful when you need to move your travel trailer for a short distance which usually happens when you are parking it in your camping space or your garage. A travel trailer dolly is necessary if you are a camping enthusiast because it simplifies your job of parking your trailer properly.
Shop: Drop Hitch for Truck
Trailer dollies come in a variety of styles, but they all work in the same fundamental way: they elevate the tongue of the trailer and allow you to steer the trailer easily with the control handle on the dolly. A trailer dolly provides a ball mount that hooks to the hitch, transferring the tongue weight to better wheels with better tires for greater traction. On many hand-pulled trailer dollies, the handle acts as a lever, reducing the amount of force necessary to move your travel trailer. This increases efficiency by allowing you to move your travel trailer over the same distances with less effort. When it comes to steering, the handle configuration of a dolly gives you a lot more control. A dolly allows you to make more micro changes than a powered vehicle so you can easily maneuver through narrow spaces.
The tongue weight and gross weight of your trailer are the first factors to consider. Trailer dollies are available in a variety of sizes and weight capacities. The maximum capacity for manual trailer dollies is typically approximately 600 lbs gross weight. If you intend to use them for short towing jobs on hard, flat ground, they are an excellent choice. When you start to exceed that weight restriction, you should check out some motorized dollies. Motorized trailer dollies can transport a bigger weight while minimizing discomfort and harm. An electric trailer dolly is a terrific alternative if you want to labor less and move more. Consider what you might need to move in the future when deciding on the weight capacity of your trailer dolly. The benefit of getting a dolly with a higher weight capacity is that you can upgrade your rig later on and still use the same dolly.
Related: Trailer mover electric
Related: Powered trailer mover
The next question is if the trailer dolly you're considering is compatible with your trailer hitch. Although it may appear to be an unusual question, some hitches work better with some dollies than others. Rear receiver hitches, for example, are the most popular and easiest to utilize with trailer dollies. Some dollies allow you to install an adaptor for a specific hitch, which is important to know if your trailer has a less common kind. Another consideration for the hitch connection is the size of the hitch ball used by the dolly (if it uses a ball mount). Check that the ball size corresponds to the hitch on your trailer so that it may be securely secured on the dolly.
Related: Types of Trailer Hitches
Not all dollies are intended for off-road use. Some are only effective on smooth, firm ground; using them on grass is a problem. If you plan on moving your trailer through a variety of terrains you'll need a trailer dolly that can maintain grip on any terrain you're traversing. Also, some motorized trailer dollies include a cord that must be plugged in, which is not always easy or possible. If you intend to use the dolly for jobs where you will not be able to plug it in, you will need either a manual or a battery-powered type. If you think you'll need to move your trailer over uneven or slanted terrain, make sure you choose a dolly with brakes. You'll also want to make sure your dolly has adequate speed and power to move the trailer over any obstacles.
If you have a modest travel trailer that weighs 2,800 pounds and has a tongue weight of roughly 280 pounds, the 5X would be ideal for moving it around your driveway and parking it anywhere you’d like. If you have a large travel trailer that weighs up to 10,000 pounds and has a tongue weight of roughly 670 pounds, you will need the XL to comfortably move and park your trailer anywhere you choose. They are both made of rust-resistant steel with a zinc-nickel coating, and all movers are also coated with a corrosion-resistant powder coating. The surface grip and stability are also enhanced by deep treads and "Never Flat" solid rubber tires. The 5X and XL have the option of a mounting bracket. The XL includes both 2′′ and 2-5/16′′ balls. The High and Low Gear ratio gives you the option to switch and move the trailer faster with the high gear. It is recommended to use the high gear on flat surfaces. The 5X can tow up to 5,000 lbs and has a tongue weight capacity of 500 lbs, but the XL can tow up to 10,000 lbs and has a tongue weight capacity of 1,000 lbs.
The Trailer Valet RVR is a totally remote-controlled trailer rover that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Towing capacities range from 3,500 to 12,000 pounds across four models. The RVR3 is ideal for towing motorcycle trailers or jet ski trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds, with a tongue weight limit of 350 pounds. The RVR5 can take greater weight, with a maximum weight capacity of 5,500 lbs, making it ideal for moving teardrop trailers, compact travel trailers, A-frame campers, pop-up campers, and even big boat trailers. The RVR9 can pull even greater weight, up to 9,000 pounds, so you may utilize it if you have an empty large travel trailer or a compact horse trailer. The RVR12 is the strongest and can draw the highest weight, and it can move a big enclosed utility trailer or a large vacation trailer weighing up to 12,000 pounds. The RVR features an aluminum body, which allows for lightweight construction and long-term corrosion resistance. It comes with a long-range remote control that can be operated safely from up to 40 feet away with a single button push. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers each RVR and may last up to 30 minutes on a single charge. All four versions are extremely adaptable, featuring a 360-degree range of motion to assist you in finding the optimum placement. The tongue weighs somewhere between 350 and 1,200 pounds. The RVR12 offers three distinct speeds that you may use to shorten your parking time. If you need to drive your trailer about the yard on hard surfaces or quickly park it in tight spots, one of the RVR Series remote-controlled rovers is a great option. Not only can you use a dolly to move your travel trailer, but doing so is considerably easier and more convenient than using your tow car. You’ll have a much better perspective of the spot you want to park your travel trailer and can make better turns without the possibility of bumping into the nearby walls.
Related: Trailer Wheel Dollies
Related: Boat Trailer Jack
What Is A Travel Trailer Dolly?
A travel trailer dolly is a device that allows you to move your travel trailer without a truck. It’s very useful when you need to move your travel trailer for a short distance which usually happens when you are parking it in your camping space or your garage. A travel trailer dolly is necessary if you are a camping enthusiast because it simplifies your job of parking your trailer properly.
Shop: Drop Hitch for Truck
Benefits Of Using A Dolly To Move Your Travel Trailer
Trailer dollies come in a variety of styles, but they all work in the same fundamental way: they elevate the tongue of the trailer and allow you to steer the trailer easily with the control handle on the dolly. A trailer dolly provides a ball mount that hooks to the hitch, transferring the tongue weight to better wheels with better tires for greater traction. On many hand-pulled trailer dollies, the handle acts as a lever, reducing the amount of force necessary to move your travel trailer. This increases efficiency by allowing you to move your travel trailer over the same distances with less effort. When it comes to steering, the handle configuration of a dolly gives you a lot more control. A dolly allows you to make more micro changes than a powered vehicle so you can easily maneuver through narrow spaces.
What To Consider When Picking Out A Dolly For Your Travel Trailer
Weight capacity
The tongue weight and gross weight of your trailer are the first factors to consider. Trailer dollies are available in a variety of sizes and weight capacities. The maximum capacity for manual trailer dollies is typically approximately 600 lbs gross weight. If you intend to use them for short towing jobs on hard, flat ground, they are an excellent choice. When you start to exceed that weight restriction, you should check out some motorized dollies. Motorized trailer dollies can transport a bigger weight while minimizing discomfort and harm. An electric trailer dolly is a terrific alternative if you want to labor less and move more. Consider what you might need to move in the future when deciding on the weight capacity of your trailer dolly. The benefit of getting a dolly with a higher weight capacity is that you can upgrade your rig later on and still use the same dolly.
Related: Trailer mover electric
Related: Powered trailer mover
Compatibility of the hitch
The next question is if the trailer dolly you're considering is compatible with your trailer hitch. Although it may appear to be an unusual question, some hitches work better with some dollies than others. Rear receiver hitches, for example, are the most popular and easiest to utilize with trailer dollies. Some dollies allow you to install an adaptor for a specific hitch, which is important to know if your trailer has a less common kind. Another consideration for the hitch connection is the size of the hitch ball used by the dolly (if it uses a ball mount). Check that the ball size corresponds to the hitch on your trailer so that it may be securely secured on the dolly.
Related: Types of Trailer Hitches
How and where you are going to use it
Not all dollies are intended for off-road use. Some are only effective on smooth, firm ground; using them on grass is a problem. If you plan on moving your trailer through a variety of terrains you'll need a trailer dolly that can maintain grip on any terrain you're traversing. Also, some motorized trailer dollies include a cord that must be plugged in, which is not always easy or possible. If you intend to use the dolly for jobs where you will not be able to plug it in, you will need either a manual or a battery-powered type. If you think you'll need to move your trailer over uneven or slanted terrain, make sure you choose a dolly with brakes. You'll also want to make sure your dolly has adequate speed and power to move the trailer over any obstacles.
Best Travel Trailer Dollies On The Market
Trailer Valet 5X and XL
If you have a modest travel trailer that weighs 2,800 pounds and has a tongue weight of roughly 280 pounds, the 5X would be ideal for moving it around your driveway and parking it anywhere you’d like. If you have a large travel trailer that weighs up to 10,000 pounds and has a tongue weight of roughly 670 pounds, you will need the XL to comfortably move and park your trailer anywhere you choose. They are both made of rust-resistant steel with a zinc-nickel coating, and all movers are also coated with a corrosion-resistant powder coating. The surface grip and stability are also enhanced by deep treads and "Never Flat" solid rubber tires. The 5X and XL have the option of a mounting bracket. The XL includes both 2′′ and 2-5/16′′ balls. The High and Low Gear ratio gives you the option to switch and move the trailer faster with the high gear. It is recommended to use the high gear on flat surfaces. The 5X can tow up to 5,000 lbs and has a tongue weight capacity of 500 lbs, but the XL can tow up to 10,000 lbs and has a tongue weight capacity of 1,000 lbs.
Trailer Valet RVR
The Trailer Valet RVR is a totally remote-controlled trailer rover that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Towing capacities range from 3,500 to 12,000 pounds across four models. The RVR3 is ideal for towing motorcycle trailers or jet ski trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds, with a tongue weight limit of 350 pounds. The RVR5 can take greater weight, with a maximum weight capacity of 5,500 lbs, making it ideal for moving teardrop trailers, compact travel trailers, A-frame campers, pop-up campers, and even big boat trailers. The RVR9 can pull even greater weight, up to 9,000 pounds, so you may utilize it if you have an empty large travel trailer or a compact horse trailer. The RVR12 is the strongest and can draw the highest weight, and it can move a big enclosed utility trailer or a large vacation trailer weighing up to 12,000 pounds. The RVR features an aluminum body, which allows for lightweight construction and long-term corrosion resistance. It comes with a long-range remote control that can be operated safely from up to 40 feet away with a single button push. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers each RVR and may last up to 30 minutes on a single charge. All four versions are extremely adaptable, featuring a 360-degree range of motion to assist you in finding the optimum placement. The tongue weighs somewhere between 350 and 1,200 pounds. The RVR12 offers three distinct speeds that you may use to shorten your parking time. If you need to drive your trailer about the yard on hard surfaces or quickly park it in tight spots, one of the RVR Series remote-controlled rovers is a great option. Not only can you use a dolly to move your travel trailer, but doing so is considerably easier and more convenient than using your tow car. You’ll have a much better perspective of the spot you want to park your travel trailer and can make better turns without the possibility of bumping into the nearby walls.
Related: Trailer Wheel Dollies
Related: Boat Trailer Jack