Benefits of an Electric Trailer Dolly
- Freedom of movement. A trailer dolly gives you a much wider range of movement. You can only turn the trailer so far before you have to readjust the angle. Or worse yet, you could end up backing into the trailer, therefore damaging your car or cargo. The amount of control you have over the trailer is much larger and safer with a dolly.
- Improved strength.Hand cranking a dolly by force can strain your muscles and body, leaving you exhausted and overheated. It is also time-consuming. The convenience of powered dolly lessons the amount of time it takes to connect the hitch to the trailer and the time it takes to stow the trailer away in tight spaces.
- Enhanced mobility. With an electric trailer dolly, you don’t have to worry about using your vehicle to back in the trailer somewhere difficult. Powered dollies make stowing trailers, boats, RVs, and travel trailers much more simple by giving you more maneuverability. You have 360-degree of motion with the dolly and aren’t burdened by having a cumbersome vehicle just inches away from the trailer.
- Versatility.Many powered trailer hitches can be removed from one trailer and connected to another. This is useful for anyone who needs to move around multiple trailers or stow away several at a time. More robust and durable electric trailer dollies can lift heavier trailers as well.
Types of Electric Trailer Dollies
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Motorized
Motorized, electric, or powered trailer dollies are designed with convenience in mind. They typically have a small battery-powered motor that cranks the hitch into place. Many can also accommodate a hand drill, which can be used to lift the dolly. Electric dollies save a lot of time and effort but can be more expensive than hand-cranked ones.
Top Brands
Trailer Valet
As one of the leading designers and manufacturers of trailer dollies, Trailer Valet is an award-winning company founded in Industry, Calif. It makes reliable powered dollies and standard ones to help any outdoor enthusiast get the job done. One of its products is the Trailer Valet XL Trailer Dolly.
Electric Trailer Dolly Pricing
- Under $300: In this price range, you will find many electric dollies capable of lifting almost any trailer. They are generally made with a tough metal design with sturdy wheels to hold the weight of the trailer.
- Over $300: Here you will see powered trailer dollies that can hold more weight and include more advanced features. This may include a handheld remote to control the dolly from a distance or buttons on the handle itself.
Key Features
Weight Capacity
You need to know the amount of weight the dolly can handle. You don’t want to stress it out too much or it could put your vehicle, the trailer, and your safety at risk. Add up the weight of your trailer plus the weight of the object, such as an ATV, boat, or jet skis, to make sure it can hold the amount of weight you require.
Brakes
The majority of powered dollies will feature brakes to lock the wheels into place. This extra layer of security gives you peace of mind if you ever forget to properly lock down the hitch or it fails to lock itself. It’s also effective if the hitch malfunctions and detaches the trailer from the vehicle.
Construction
A motorized dolly is built to prevent a trailer from detaching from a vehicle, so you will want to ensure it’s durable in its construction. This includes the wheels, hardware, and overall design of the dolly. The better quality and sturdier the material, such as a steel frame, the less likely it will be damaged or corrode. This increases both the performance and longevity of the trailer dolly
Other Considerations
- Stowability: You may need to stow the dolly away when it is not in use, particularly when parking the trailer or unhitching it from a vehicle. Many can be rotated to rest next to the trailer itself, while others can be lifted slightly so they don’t drag against the ground. You can also remove a dolly completely from the trailer if necessary.
Best Electric Trailer Dolly Reviews & Recommendations 2021
This durable electric boat trailer dolly from Trailer Valet is simple to get going with the use of a powered drill. Its hefty weight capacity allows it to hold up to 10,000 pounds with 1,000 pounds of torque weight. Plus, the ball attachment mechanism is quick to attach and holds securely to the hitch, giving you a wider range of mobility.
One feature we found useful is the high-strength pneumatic tires that are capable of withstanding 500 pounds of pressure per tire. Another good feature is the steel construction enables corrosion resistance up to 300 hours of travel. It also comes with an automatic safety brake if there is a need for it. All you need is a handheld 18V drill to start the motor.
It is an excellent dolly once affixed to the hitch; however, it may take a bit of time to install it properly. It also does not work as effectively on grass as it does on concrete. You may need a bit of muscle power to move it off road and up inclines, but that may be due to the limited power of the handheld drill. Also, while it is able to hold 10,000 pounds, moving something that heavy will be difficult no matter what.
Biltek’s powered heavy-duty trailer dolly is built to handle a trailer, caravan, or boat weighing up to 5,000 pounds The motor is a 12V motorized jockey wheel with easy-to-find buttons on the handle. This gives you extra control over moving and steering the trailer to where it needs to go. A nice extra feature is it comes with an automatic brake ability.
The sturdy design is rust-resistant and finished with a strong coat to prevent scratches and dings. The dolly is designed to move trailers at an incline of five degrees with a max jockey wheel load of 600 pounds. It also has a heavy-duty and robust 8-inch solid rubber wheel to bear the weight while gliding across the ground with ease.
One issue with this particular dolly is you may have to drill holes into your trailer to accommodate it properly. However, you may be able to find other mounting hardware if you prefer not to drill into your trailer. Another drawback is the dolly is unable to swing up and lock against the trailer.
The Tow Tuff TMD-3500ETD Electric Trailer Dolly features a third wheel design that stabilizes the load when moving trailers and equipment. With a speed of up to 1.5 mph in forward and reverse, this heavy-duty dolly uses two sealed 24-volt 7AH batteries for power.
It accommodates trailers with a ball height of 22 to 28.35 inches. The 13-inch tires and eight-inch swivel caster enable its use on all types of terrain, and the step increases foot leverage. The dolly is compatible with a two-inch coupler and has a 3,500-pound weight capacity and 600-pound tongue capacity.
There's also an LED battery indicator light, and users report that it provides plenty of power and speed. In addition, the manufacturer has excellent customer service should you experience any issues.
However, the tires have a tendency to spin when they're wet, and in general the traction isn't as good as some competing products.
The Parkit360 Motorized Electric Trailer Dolly is powered by a U1 battery and is ready to go out of the box. The dolly has a 10,000-pound weight capacity and 900 pounds of tongue weight. It comes with a 1.7-horsepower Bosch electric motor, a charger, 6.5-inch-wide tires, and a seven-pin trailer brake plug.
The dolly is compatible with most ball-mounted trailers, including RV trailers, cargo trailers, and boat trailers. It features a freewheel mode, and there's a forward and reverse toggle switch for steering. The compact device is simple to disassemble and can fit in the trunk of a passenger car.
However, it may require two people to lift it into a vehicle. Also, the dolly is not designed for use on sand or uneven terrain, and it doesn't work very well on inclines larger than four to six percent.
The Trailer Valet 5X V211 Tongue Jack Dolly has a 5,000-pound towing capacity and 500 pounds of tongue weight. It's a manual dolly; however, you can motorize it by using a drill attachment and an 18-20V cordless, non-impact drill. The dolly has a patented drive system with low and high drive gears as well as an automatic safety brake.
The dolly is powder coated and corrosion resistant, and the mounting bracket is compatible with most trailers. It has dual 85 PSI tires and a fold-down frame, which makes it easy to store. The manufacturer also provides a one year warranty should you experience any issues.
Users report that the optional drill adapter is a little pricey but works great. Unfortunately, the wheels may spin in inclement weather, and it can struggle when moving up an incline.
Tips
- Try to enlist someone to assist you when parking or moving a trailer with a dolly. They can alert you to any dangers and help keep you safe in the process.
- Do not leave the jockey bar attached when driving with the dolly on the trailer. This could lead to it falling off and damaging something else.
- Ensure the hitch coupler is properly locked in place to prevent the trailer from popping off. You can test this by gently rocking the trailer up and down before starting your journey.
FAQs
Q: Can I travel with the dolly attached to the trailer?
A: This depends on the style of dolly you get. If it is able to fold up and lock next to your trailer, then it is safe to travel with it. Read the guide book to ensure you don’t need to remove anything in particular before setting off.
Q: Can I use a car battery to power some dollies?
A: You can use a car battery to power many dollies as long as there is a connection for it on the dolly. Just make sure the battery’s voltage output matches the voltage on the dolly.
Q: Will drilling holes into the trailer damage it?
A: If a trailer dolly calls for you to drill holes into the trailer, it shouldn’t cause any structural damage. As long as you follow the guidelines in the dollies handbook, you should be fine.
Final Thoughts
If you want to move your trailer more easily and effectively, consider the powerful Trailer Valet XL Trailer Dolly.
If you want to save some money but still get a durable and strong electric dolly, check out the Biltek Trailer Mover 350W 12V Electric Trailer Jack.
FAQs
Do trailer dollies work well? ›
Do trailer dollies work? Yes. It's important to consider the weight of the trailer in question and the maximum capacity of the dolly when you're shopping, but dollies almost universally make maneuvering a trailer in tight spaces much easier than using a vehicle or doing it by hand.
Can you move a boat with a trailer dolly? ›A trailer dolly is one of the handiest tools you can have if you want to move your boat into your storage space or hitch it to your vehicle.
How much weight can a trailer dolly move? ›Weight capacity
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.
3 things to consider when choosing a trailer dolly
The three main points to consider are: the size and weight of your trailer, the hitch-connection, and all potential scenarios in which you will need to use the dolly.
Clearance. Tow dollies can cause problems when it comes to clearance. As tow dollies can only hold your vehicle from its front-drive wheels, if your car is long from the front, low to the ground, or has a ground effect the components may drag along the ground during the tow.
What are the cons of a tow dolly? ›Cons: The main cons to using a tow dolly are the equipment's tricky set-up, weight capacity limitations, distance limitations (you can't move long distance with a tow dolly), and safety concerns. A vehicle that is moved via a tow dolly is also more susceptible to wear and tear than a vehicle carried by a car trailer.
Is it easier to tow with a dolly or trailer? ›Car trailers are easier to haul than tow dollies. While it takes practice to pull anything behind your vehicle, trailers have two features that make towing easier: You can reverse with a trailer, but not with a tow dolly. Trailers have brakes, but dollies don't.
What is the best way to move boats? ›The most common method is roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO), where your boat stays on its trailer for the entire journey. Or, you can ship it in an enclosed container or flat rack, a custom-made cradle. Shipping internationally can be very expensive.
Do trailer dollies work on grass? ›Our electric trailer dollies work exceptionally well on dirt, rocks, grass, and uneven terrain. Trailer Butler trailer dollies include wireless options, and utilize the brakes on your trailer for added safety.
What is the max load for a dolly? ›Maximum Load Capacities
That said, the carrying capacity of heavy duty dollies runs from 1.5 to 100 tons per dolly skate, depending on the type.
How easy is it to move trailer with trailer dolly? ›
Most conventional manual dollies simply won't hold enough weight to move a travel trailer; however, very light tent trailers can be moved by some manual dollies, and there are several specialized dollies that can easily move heavier trailers.
Is an appliance dolly better than a utility dolly? ›An appliance dolly is specifically designed for moving large, heavy appliances and features heavy-duty straps and side rails to secure the appliance in place. A utility dolly is a standard, general-purpose hand truck that is useful for moving boxes, crates, and small furniture and appliances.
How far should you use a tow dolly? ›Make sure the tow dolly is directly behind the tow vehicle, in a straight line. Set the tow vehicle's PARKING BRAKE firmly and turn the motor off. Allow room behind the tow dolly to back the vehicle-in-tow clear of the tow dolly. During the unloading process, keep children and others at least 25 feet away.
Can you go faster than 55 with a tow dolly? ›Keep your speed at 55 MPH or under when driving with a tow dolly. The most straightforward answer as to why this is important deals with the safety of yourself and others. Traveling at a higher rate of speed will cause your haul to drift from side to side.
Do you park or neutral with a tow dolly? ›Whether you are using a dolly or flat towing the vehicle, leave the transmission in neutral and tow. You don't have to have any special equipment or leave the engine running.
What is better tow dolly or tow bar? ›If you plan on attaching and detaching often, a tow bar is the easier way to go. A tow bar is also easy to stow and disassemble. If you decide on an RV tow bar, you will need a few pieces of equipment including: Tow bar for motorhome use.
Why can't you back up with a tow dolly? ›You should never attempt to back up a vehicle on a tow dolly -- while it's possible, it's not safe and can damage both vehicles. If you need to back up, the only safe option is to detach the two vehicles and back them up individually. Four-wheels-up is the final towing option.
Do you need extra lights when using tow dolly? ›Since the car tow dolly will have lights on it, you don't necessarily need to add any other lights to the dolly when it is being used to transport a vehicle. However, the vehicle being hauled by the dolly is required to have working stop, turn, and running lights.
Do I need brakes on my tow dolly? ›Before you can use a tow dolly, you need to have brakes. They are required for legal tow dolly usage in all 50 states in the United States and in Canada. There's no way around it; brakes are a must on any type of tow dolly. If you ever want to sell your dolly in the future, having brakes will make it easy to sell.
Are tow dollies worth it? ›Yes! Tow dollies include chains, straps, and brakes that will allow your car to make it to its next destination safely. If you properly secure your vehicle and use it correctly, towing a car on a dolly is actually safer than a traditional trailer.
Is a tow dolly safe for long distance? ›
Using a tow dolly for a long distance is not a good option. It will put your car through a lot of wear and tear, especially the vehicle's rear wheels. Towing an elevated vehicle long distances may also undermine the structural integrity of your car.
What are the 4 most common dollies? ›- Transport Dollies. GKS Transport Dollies are our most commonly used dollies for a wide range of applications. ...
- Tandem Dollies. Need to transport machines, frame structures or other bulky loads? ...
- Container Dollies. There's a better, safer way to move ISO containers. ...
- Rotating Dollies.
The vehicle-in-tow steering wheel must be locked. If the vehicle is not equipped with locking steering column the steering wheel will have to be tied securely.
How fast can you drive with a tow dolly? ›It's best to operate your tow dolly at speeds you feel most comfortable with, but do not exceed 55 miles per hour on regular highways.
Can I pull a RV with dolly? ›A tow dolly is another option for towing your vehicle behind your motorhome. This method of towing props your vehicle on the front two wheels with the back wheels on the ground.
How old is the trailer too old to move? ›What is the oldest manufactured home you can move? According to the HUD regulations, if your home was built before 1976 it doesn't meet the current safety standards and shouldn't be moved even a short distance.
Can you move a boat trailer by hand? ›Muscle It. Many times, you can move an aluminum fishing boat or personal watercraft simply by pushing it around yourself. This is contingent on having a tongue jack with a small wheel to support the front of the trailer. Single-axle trailers are easier to muscle and maneuver than multiaxle trailers.
What is the best option for long distance towing? ›The better option for long-distance towing is using an auto transport or “car hauler,” which is essentially a trailer designed specifically for carrying vehicles. This method doesn't put any wear or tear on your car's tires and is better for highway driving.
Do you put your car in park or neutral when towing dolly? ›Simply put the vehicle in park and tow. If all four wheels are on the ground, your vehicle must be equipped with a proper towing device, to keep the transmission from turning without proper lubrication. Simply putting the vehicle in neutral will not prevent it from sustaining damage.