Electric Trailer Dolly

jbajor · June 17

Greetings fellow TABers! I have been using a manual dolly for pulling my TAB (ok, ultimate toys trailer) in and out of my driveway. Sadly, my back and rotator cuffs are showing the effects of Father Time. I figure that this may be a good time to take the leap and get some assistance in the form of an economic powered electric dolly. What has been the experience of this esteem group and what are your suggestions? Recommendations are super appreciated! Cheers! Jordan

Marceline · June 17

For use at home or on the road?

jbajor · June 17

For use at home only

MuttonChops · June 17

@jbajor, While I don't need a dolly for my 320S . . . I do use one on my 6.000# Boat Trailer.

After a few years of smashing the tow vehicle fenders into utility poles when parking the 'boat' (less than ideal tandem parking spot for TAB & Boat) I searched for Power Trailer Dollies.

The least expensive {first seen on a Craig's List Post) is made by KAAD Enginering. This is a small custom equipment shop that builds basic/functional machines. Believe owner is working well into his retirement years so these/his dollies could disappear at any time.

They are basic 120VAC (power cord) motor driven and easy to operate.
The 'parts list' is so simple I'm expecting mine to last forever.

Now for the 6000# boat trailer I've got his huge two-motor, four tire model . . . .
while one of the single motor models would work great for a TAB'ish trailer.

His units are about Half the Price of the web-marketed, look fancy power dollies (even with truck freight added on).

Take a look . . . . Basic 120VAC Trailer Movers . . .

Maxcamp · June 18

A word of caution regarding these movers and infirm bodies. I sold my drill powered mover (Trailer Valet XL) as it wasn't that helpful.

Any mover with a single axle and a ball hitch will tend to 'walk' rotationally forward and back opposite trailer movement, requiring immense body force to counter several hundred pounds of force trying to collapse the angling ball attachment.

Maybe that's not the experience with other brands but my hernia and torn rotator couldn't handle it.

Dollies with two axles may counter this.
I've seen 'lawnmower' looking dollies for sale on FB marketplace.

If you're humping over a lawn and roots there may be inadequate tongue weight to keep the mover wheel from just spinning. I added sandbags when moving.

Just some thoughts to consider or test out. There are numerous systems out there and some will be great.

TourDeForth · June 18

I use a Trailer Valet Rvr5 with my Tab 320s. It’s very convenient and moves my trailer around easily on level ground. I like that I can maneuver it in very tight spaces. I park next to my house in a narrow spot so I need to be able to walk around and check the corners. Having the wireless remote works out well. It will move up and down gradual slopes but the ground needs to be solid and not slippery. I lay down 4x8 sheets of plywood to cross soft grass to keep the trailer wheels from sinking. The tractor pushes it just fine.

Marceline · June 18

jbajor said:

For use at home only

There are a lot of purpose-made solutions (eg Trailer Valet) but if you have a big enough yard, you might want to consider a garden tractor with a ball mount - at least you could use it for something else besides just moving the trailer around.

I belong to a club that uses old golf carts to move boats around the storage yard. Just an idea.

Horigan · June 18

The problem I've found with the Trailer Valet is that the bottom of the T@b trailer hitch is not flat enough to enable a solid connection to the valet. As a result, the valet can rock a bit creating the issue that @Maxcamp describes. I use the Trailer Valet on my boat trailer with a different hitch that is very flat on the bottom and the valet is firmly connected to the trailer with no relative motion or rocking.

jbajor · June 18

MuttonChops said:

@jbajor, While I don't need a dolly for my 320S . . . I do use one on my 6.000# Boat Trailer.

After a few years of smashing the tow vehicle fenders into utility poles when parking the 'boat' (less than ideal tandem parking spot for TAB & Boat) I searched for Power Trailer Dollies.

The least expensive {first seen on a Craig's List Post) is made by KAAD Enginering. This is a small custom equipment shop that builds basic/functional machines. Believe owner is working well into his retirement years so these/his dollies could disappear at any time.

They are basic 120VAC (power cord) motor driven and easy to operate.
The 'parts list' is so simple I'm expecting mine to last forever.

Now for the 6000# boat trailer I've got his huge two-motor, four tire model . . . .
while one of the single motor models would work great for a TAB'ish trailer.

His units are about Half the Price of the web-marketed, look fancy power dollies (even with truck freight added on).

Take a look . . . . Basic 120VAC Trailer Movers . . .

Wow!!! The basic KAAD AC unit looks perfect! I will email them. Thank you!
jordan
For use at home only

rfuss928 · June 19

Similar to TourDeForth I use a Trailer Valet RVR3. I like the hands off remote control that lets me watch all corners. I also lets me pull into a small shed hitch first leaving me easy access to the CS hatch while stored.
It moves the UT around a fairly level gravel driveway and shed floor with no problem.

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