You’re tired, it’s late, and you’re at a proverbial dead end. You’re a capable driver but there just isn’t enough room to park the trailer where you need it. Pushing the trailer risks injuring your back and you could lose control if it picks up momentum. We’ve all been there and it’s a dicey situation. Fortunately, there’s a solution that doesn’t require DIY hacks or rebuilding your garage. Let’s dive into motorized trailer dollies and see if one is right for you.
The Right Situations
Whether you call them trailer movers or trailer dollies, these are the tools that finish the job when your vehicle can't. They are great options for parking your trailer in garages, alongside houses and fences, and virtually anywhere with tight corners. And if you’ve ever wondered “Where can I park my RV long term?’ - a motorized trailer dolly can help. But what exactly makes them so useful?
Unlike a vehicle, a trailer dolly can make incredibly tight turns thanks to its mobility and compactness. Some trailer dollies are stored easily and can be taken anywhere by simply loading them into your vehicle or trailer. This is a huge advantage for anyone living the full-timing, RV life where truck stops, overnight RV parking, and versatility are the name of the game. If portability matters to you, you’ll want to hone in on compact models you can bring anywhere.
Remote-controlled trailer dollies remove you from having to physically position the trailer. This provides a couple of huge benefits. First, you aren’t subject to the physical demands of trying to push and pull a trailer into position. You’ve got unmatched control and you can stop it on a dime. Second, you’re able to move around the trailer to see exactly where it’s going, without having to use mirrors or stopping and going. The risks of damaging your walls, fences, or someone else’s property are nearly eliminated.
Features to Consider
Not all motorized trailer dollies are made equal. Power and weight capacities vary, so you have to know your trailer weight and don’t push the limits. If you’re at the top end of the weight range, go higher so you’re never underpowered. Compared to motorized DIY dollies, purchasing from a reputable company provides specific capabilities, higher long-term value, and customer service to back up a product.
Another key consideration is traction and the common surfaces you’ll be on. Some dollies have a single rubber wheel while others have tracks. Tracks provide superior grip on various surfaces, but all motorized dollies have their limits. Loose dirt, sand, and wet surfaces are difficult for many motorized trailer dollies. On the other hand, firm soil or a parking lot with dry concrete provides excellent grip and easy operation.
Along with considering the surface, inclines pose major challenges to any trailer dolly. Add a less than ideal surface and it becomes even more challenging. While this isn’t usually a concern with established RV parking spots, it can be an issue outside private RV locations designed for trailers. Bottom line - if you plan on moving your trailer uphill, you certainly want to research the limits of the dollies you’re considering.
RV living isn’t cheap and one often-forgotten advantage is that motorized trailer movers can save money when you need to find long-term parking. You’ll get more options to park your RV with a portable dolly, which can reduce the costs of long-term RV parking. With monthly rates in the United States not getting any cheaper, especially with the best RV parking spots, this can be a huge advantage.
Options
Understandably, we’re a little biased around here, since we’ve poured an incredible amount of resources into making the best trailer dollies on the market. Let’s look at what an industry-leading motorized trailer dolly offers.
Our RVR series is the ultimate package for someone who wants it all. You get the advantages of a remote control, portability, integrated brake, rechargeable battery, and tracks that handle various surfaces. This means you can manipulate the trailer movement as you walk around without worrying about losing control.
One of the best aspects is that you can take it anywhere since it’s compact. So while a friend parks overnight at less-than-ideal spots, you’ve got the maximum amount of options. Plus, you don’t need an external power source since it has a rechargeable battery. It’s ideal for the RV lifestyle where you need a dependable trailer mover at all times.
With four models available and weight capacities between 3500 and 12,000 lbs, there is an RVR for nearly everyone. If your parking situations induce panic or you’re simply tired of the physical struggle of parking your trailer, take a look at a motorized trailer dolly. You could be next to join the legion of trailer owners who no longer struggle with parking headaches.