Using Hand Trailer Dolly

[boutdoors]

Anyone ever used a hand (non motorized) trailer dolly to move a small trailer a few feet back? I have to place our new 16' sport into a space with 3" of clearance on each side and can back it up pretty far but will need to move it another 6 feet or so by hand on level ground.

Does anyone see a problem with this?

Thanks,
boutdoors

[Xbob2]

Originally Posted by boutdoors

Anyone ever used a hand (non motorized) trailer dolly to move a small trailer a few feet back? I have to place our new 16' sport into a space with 3" of clearance on each side and can back it up pretty far but will need to move it another 6 feet or so by hand on level ground.

Does anyone see a problem with this?

Thanks,
boutdoors

I would have several friends with "hands on" the trailer to do this ...

[Royce]

On level ground and a hard surface it should roll easy. I use a two wheel hand dolly to move the Minuet. in the driveway that is almost level and it handles very well.

[Ed Emerick]

Hello!
I have one that I purchased from Harbor Frt. to move my 18 foot Traveler with. I move it up and down the drive all the time to get the trailer to a spot I can hook it to the truck and put it back into its hiding place!

I also moved a 21 with it and bent the axle a little bit.................................

[boutdoors]

Sounds like the 6' will not be a problem with the lightweight trailer that we are getting.

[keithwade]

I wanted to revisit this because I was hoping in the last two years others had had experience.

I have an 18' 1965 Globetrotter. We're moving to a house with an RV garage, but not a lot of side clearance. And, practice though I have, and understand the theory though I do, I just am not that good at backing.

These little handheld trailer dollies look like a good, inexpensive solution. Will be on nice flat concrete (at the garage door) before I need to stop pushing.

Would GREATLY appreciate more feedback, pro or con, from folks who have tried (or succeeded) moving a trailer this size with a hand dolly (and, brand names would be most welcomed).

Thanks a whole bunch.

[Belegedhel]

I use a cheap Harbor Freight trailer dolly to move my 21' '73 Globetrotter. Even on flat pavement, it really takes some grunting to get it moving. I don't think it is a shortcoming in the dolly, just that the trailer is stinking heavy. One thing to be wary of is that the cheaper (ie., HF) dollies come with a 1 7/8" ball, and are not designed to have any other ball installed. For the most part, it is OK, but I have had the hitch pop off the ball once.

A while back, I bought a cheap 12v 2000 lb winch, that I was planning to jury-rig onto the trailer dolly to motorized it. Haven't made any progress on that project yet, as I need to come up with a good drive mechanism.

[Last Open Road]

I have a heavy duty hydraulic floor jack on wheels that does an okay job moving our Minuet 20 around on concrete. You're right though about having some help pushing the trailer.

Someone mentioned a two wheeled hand dolly with a ball hitch. What are these, and where can you get them?

Thanks,
Will

[idroba]

I would always have a second person on the job when you are actually moving it. It is very easy to have it get away from you when it is on wheels everywhere. The second person has chocks in their hand to stop things if need be. You also could have a switch rigged on your electric brakes to do the same thing, if you are alone.

I have an Australian "Maco Mule" which I used to use for moving like you mention. Unfortunately I have not seen one advertised in many years, and it probably is out of production or is no longer available here in the US. It is neat though, in that it has a ratching wheel for getting things moving.

[switz]

Harbor Freight has a light duty (600pound tongue weight) two wheeler with a trailer ball for spotting:

Trailer Dolly

The ball that comes on this unit is not safe for road use, so a real ball can be swapped in for the proper size.

[cwf]

I ain't moving our 34' anywhere other than up/down without a truck!!!

[crabbey1]

These look pretty cool but expensive...

[askory]

With the position of my gate and the layout of my backyard the only way to get my 25' Flying Cloud in is to back along the fence to its curbside. Aside from a pretty tight clearance, this also means that the door is inconveniently smashed up against the fence and we can't ever extend the awning. So, it would all be much more usable if I could turn it 180° and pull it through instead, but there isn't anywhere near enough room to do that with my truck.

So, I'm on the hunt for some kind of smaller towing device. A 25'er is I think too heavy for anything without mechanical assistance. I'm definitely interested in any kind of powered hand truck or winch solutions out there.

I did find the Trailer Valet RVR. That looks pretty incredible but I'd need the burliest model and $4000 is a lot more than this problem is worth to me!