How to Select the Right Trailer Dolly
Knowing how to select the right trailer dolly for your specific needs is very important if you have a cargo trailer, tent trailer, or utility trailer. It will help you if you are having difficulties connecting the trailer to your truck or you just want to reposition it somewhere in your yard.
When it comes to quickly transporting a trailer over a short distance, this piece of machinery may be a game-changer and a time saver. It eliminates the need of having to reverse your car and move it around until it's perfectly aligned for the hookup.
The amount of weight you need to move around is the first consideration before buying a dolly. The trailer dolly you pick needs to support the trailer weight and have the right tongue weight so you can successfully move the trailer.
Best trailer dollies are durable and sturdy pieces of equipment. If you want something that will last, an all-steel build is your best bet. In order to prevent rust and corrosion, many trailer dollies are coated with a powder. So, try to pick one that is rust resistant so you would have minimal maintenance over the years.
Because of its bulk and weight, transporting a trailer can be a difficult task. Because of this, a trailer dolly that can be adjusted to different heights is quite useful. One of the more convenient features is that the hitch's height can be adjusted without fully depressing the handle, allowing users to use minimum force when readjusting the hitch. The dolly's height adjustment and the flexibility to move the dolly's ball are especially advantageous on uneven ground where you need to make small adjustment to the hitch height.
The characteristics of trailer dollies vary across brands and picking a dolly with good wheels and the right ball is an important factor. For instance, some include inflatable wheels or flat-free tires. Others can only accept couplers that are 2 inches or bigger, while some have a hitch ball size of 1 7/8 inches to operate with couplers that are 1 7/8 inches or larger.
Related: Trailer Wheel Dollies
Having a sturdy and long handle is fundamental because it will provide you the right amount of leverage. You will have more leverage if the handle is longer and that makes moving the trailer simpler for you. Take a look at the handle's grip as well to make sure it has a good rubber grip because that way your hands will stay firmly on the device.
The electric trailer dolly battery-powered motor that rotates the wheels eliminates the need for physical work. This sort of dolly is the most user-friendly option for those who need to move big things but would prefer not to lift them. The electric trailer dollies are simple to use and provide a lot of help with lifting and moving your trailer.
For the most part, hand dollies need to be put together before use. Generally they have a steel frame, wheels, a handle, and a hitch ball for towing. You should be careful not to surpass the specified weight capacity while using these dollies because they can only hold a fraction of what their electric equivalents can. They can be purchased in either a two- or three-wheeled configuration, the latter of which is more user-friendly because it is more stable and easier to maneuver.
Using a trailer dolly will prevent any possible back injuries you may suffer when trying to pull or lift a trailer without a trailer dolly. Because trailer dollies provide additional leverage, you can easily lift up and move a trailer around without risking getting hurt. Trailer dollies are very good for the elderly and those who have past injuries that are still bothering them.
Having a trailer dolly of good quality will make putting a trailer exactly where you want it much simpler for you. Without a trailer dolly parking the trailer can be tricky. This is especially true if the area where you need to park is small in size because steering the trailer with your vehicle in tight spots is very challenging.
Dollies have simple designs and don't require a lot of parts to manufacture which makes them cheap and affordable. A dolly will provide you with an easy and dependable way to move your trailer and it won’t cost much. Also they last for a long time because most of them don’t need maintenance.
Dollies can save you a lot of time when trying to park or move your trailer for a short distance. Just imagine rolling up with your tow vehicle up to your dolly and hitching it up just to move it a few feet. If you have a dolly you can easily wheel it over to the trailer, lift it up and move it anywhere quickly and efficiently.
The Trailer Valet XL is made of sturdy steel, and to further its endurance, it has a hammer-tone powder-coated finish. It is one of the toughest trailer dollies available, with a maximum capacity of 10,000 pounds and a tongue weight limit of 1,000 pounds. It incorporates a ball mount and a 2 5/16-inch hitch ball. The auto-brake feature and never-flat rubber tires ensure that your trailer won't slide down a slight decline on the road that you didn’t account for. Using the XL mostly on concrete surfaces is recommended.
With a maximum weight capacity of 800 pounds, this sturdy three-wheeled dolly is made to make moving your boat or cargo trailers simple and pain-free. It has one 8-inch swivel caster and two 12-inch semi-pneumatic tires for simple and accurate steering.
Additionally, this trailer dolly has a 30 inch broad wheel base, which adds to its stability. Heavy-duty, rust-resistant steel is used to build the frame, and for further protection, a hammer-tone powder coating was applied so you won’t have to do a lot of maintenance on this dolly even if you don’t use it much. It is designed to accept trailer hitch couplers that are 1 7/8 inches or bigger.
This reasonably priced dolly can transport boat, utility, and jet ski trailers and has a 600-pound weight capacity. The frame is designed with a heavy-duty steel that has been powder-coated for durability.
This dolly is really well constructed, sturdy, and simple to use and store. Although an asphalt driveway with a gentle slope works just well, a flat garage floor is recommended. If you are on level ground, raising a trailer and pulling or pushing it is simple. It is comfortable because of the long handle and padded grip.
Make sure the dolly you choose is the best fit for your trailer and your situation. It is crucial to take into account the aforementioned aspects while choosing the appropriate trailer dolly for your trailer. Once you choose the best one, moving or relocating your trailer will be a lot simpler.
Related: Types of Trailer Couplers
Related: Types of Trailer Hitches
Related: Boat Trailer Jack
When it comes to quickly transporting a trailer over a short distance, this piece of machinery may be a game-changer and a time saver. It eliminates the need of having to reverse your car and move it around until it's perfectly aligned for the hookup.
Things To Consider For The Right Trailer Dolly
Weight Capacity
The amount of weight you need to move around is the first consideration before buying a dolly. The trailer dolly you pick needs to support the trailer weight and have the right tongue weight so you can successfully move the trailer.
Materials
Best trailer dollies are durable and sturdy pieces of equipment. If you want something that will last, an all-steel build is your best bet. In order to prevent rust and corrosion, many trailer dollies are coated with a powder. So, try to pick one that is rust resistant so you would have minimal maintenance over the years.
Adjustability
Because of its bulk and weight, transporting a trailer can be a difficult task. Because of this, a trailer dolly that can be adjusted to different heights is quite useful. One of the more convenient features is that the hitch's height can be adjusted without fully depressing the handle, allowing users to use minimum force when readjusting the hitch. The dolly's height adjustment and the flexibility to move the dolly's ball are especially advantageous on uneven ground where you need to make small adjustment to the hitch height.
Ball and Wheels
The characteristics of trailer dollies vary across brands and picking a dolly with good wheels and the right ball is an important factor. For instance, some include inflatable wheels or flat-free tires. Others can only accept couplers that are 2 inches or bigger, while some have a hitch ball size of 1 7/8 inches to operate with couplers that are 1 7/8 inches or larger.
Related: Trailer Wheel Dollies
Handle
Having a sturdy and long handle is fundamental because it will provide you the right amount of leverage. You will have more leverage if the handle is longer and that makes moving the trailer simpler for you. Take a look at the handle's grip as well to make sure it has a good rubber grip because that way your hands will stay firmly on the device.
Types of Trailer Dollies
Electric Trailer Dolly
The electric trailer dolly battery-powered motor that rotates the wheels eliminates the need for physical work. This sort of dolly is the most user-friendly option for those who need to move big things but would prefer not to lift them. The electric trailer dollies are simple to use and provide a lot of help with lifting and moving your trailer.
Hand Trailer Dolly
For the most part, hand dollies need to be put together before use. Generally they have a steel frame, wheels, a handle, and a hitch ball for towing. You should be careful not to surpass the specified weight capacity while using these dollies because they can only hold a fraction of what their electric equivalents can. They can be purchased in either a two- or three-wheeled configuration, the latter of which is more user-friendly because it is more stable and easier to maneuver.
Benefits Of Trailer Dollies
Prevent Back Injury
Using a trailer dolly will prevent any possible back injuries you may suffer when trying to pull or lift a trailer without a trailer dolly. Because trailer dollies provide additional leverage, you can easily lift up and move a trailer around without risking getting hurt. Trailer dollies are very good for the elderly and those who have past injuries that are still bothering them.
Improved Maneuverability
Having a trailer dolly of good quality will make putting a trailer exactly where you want it much simpler for you. Without a trailer dolly parking the trailer can be tricky. This is especially true if the area where you need to park is small in size because steering the trailer with your vehicle in tight spots is very challenging.
Affordability
Dollies have simple designs and don't require a lot of parts to manufacture which makes them cheap and affordable. A dolly will provide you with an easy and dependable way to move your trailer and it won’t cost much. Also they last for a long time because most of them don’t need maintenance.
Time Saving
Dollies can save you a lot of time when trying to park or move your trailer for a short distance. Just imagine rolling up with your tow vehicle up to your dolly and hitching it up just to move it a few feet. If you have a dolly you can easily wheel it over to the trailer, lift it up and move it anywhere quickly and efficiently.
Best Trailer Dollies
Trailer Valet XL Trailer Dolly
The Trailer Valet XL is made of sturdy steel, and to further its endurance, it has a hammer-tone powder-coated finish. It is one of the toughest trailer dollies available, with a maximum capacity of 10,000 pounds and a tongue weight limit of 1,000 pounds. It incorporates a ball mount and a 2 5/16-inch hitch ball. The auto-brake feature and never-flat rubber tires ensure that your trailer won't slide down a slight decline on the road that you didn’t account for. Using the XL mostly on concrete surfaces is recommended.
Tow Tuff Adjustable Trailer Dolly With Caster
With a maximum weight capacity of 800 pounds, this sturdy three-wheeled dolly is made to make moving your boat or cargo trailers simple and pain-free. It has one 8-inch swivel caster and two 12-inch semi-pneumatic tires for simple and accurate steering.
Additionally, this trailer dolly has a 30 inch broad wheel base, which adds to its stability. Heavy-duty, rust-resistant steel is used to build the frame, and for further protection, a hammer-tone powder coating was applied so you won’t have to do a lot of maintenance on this dolly even if you don’t use it much. It is designed to accept trailer hitch couplers that are 1 7/8 inches or bigger.
Ultra-Tow Dual-Pull Trailer Dolly
This reasonably priced dolly can transport boat, utility, and jet ski trailers and has a 600-pound weight capacity. The frame is designed with a heavy-duty steel that has been powder-coated for durability.
This dolly is really well constructed, sturdy, and simple to use and store. Although an asphalt driveway with a gentle slope works just well, a flat garage floor is recommended. If you are on level ground, raising a trailer and pulling or pushing it is simple. It is comfortable because of the long handle and padded grip.
Make sure the dolly you choose is the best fit for your trailer and your situation. It is crucial to take into account the aforementioned aspects while choosing the appropriate trailer dolly for your trailer. Once you choose the best one, moving or relocating your trailer will be a lot simpler.
Related: Types of Trailer Couplers
Related: Types of Trailer Hitches
Related: Boat Trailer Jack