Trailer Dolly

Anyone have a trailer dolly they like for moving the trailer around easily. I don't like putting the stress on the trailer jack when trying to manhandle the trailer around in the garage. Picked up a cheap one at Harbor Frieght that has worked OK but not really meant for the weight of the 560 and it's showing.

 

We had never had one until recently. When we pull into our backyard it is a 90 degree turn into the carport. There is a wall along the property line which is next to the driveway, so there is no way to soften the angle of the turn. For 6 years we manhandled our 560 Ultra with little a bit of profanity to get in the carport. Ok, it was a lot of profanity. To drive the camper out of the carport, you need it parked in an exact spot to make the 90 degree turn out into the driveway.

We got a trailer dolly from Tractor Supply over the winter & used when it we returned from our weekend camping trip last week. What a difference it made in getting the camper in the carport. No profanity & don’t have to worry about damaging the front of the camper plus it is safer for us too. Wish we had gotten it sooner.

Instructions were horrible to assemble so it was a lot of trial & error to get it together, plus some more profanity. Works good once I got it together. Tow Tuff - Heavy-Duty Trailer Dolly with Caster, TMD-1000C from Tractor Supply.

 

I originally got a cheap-o trailer dolly, and within a year it failed. I didn't get my heavy-duty one from Tractor Supply, but the one I have looks exactly like Warren & Mary Ellen's picture. I have a slight incline to back my trailer into the garage; the dolly is very handy in maneuvering it quickly into it's spot in the garage (after, of course, carefully rinsing it off after it's adventures, draining and refilling the water for the next adventure). I haven't done that yet this year--de-winterize it. Hm... maybe that'll be this weekend's task.

 

Once you get the trailer turned and start pushing it backwards, you are pushing down a slight slope. You can't see the slope but the trailer does pick up speed, so it was always me being pulling back on the front of the trailer frame. The dolly definitely made that safer for me and reduced the chance of me hurting my back. Didn't know about them back in 2015 when I bought our Camp Inn, but at some point a friend told me I ought to get one. Wish I had taken his advice sooner.

 

I got a trailer dolly shortly after we brought our TD home, when I realized that rolling the trailer jack over our pavers was not rolling at all, but a lift-push-grunt operation. Each well is about 4" across, and 1-2" deep--just perfect for chocking the jack wheel. I have a cheap model, without the caster wheel in back, and have been deliriously happy with how easy it makes driveway maneuvers. It's called a Maxxhaul (also from Amazon, of course). For me, the lack of a third wheel is a feature, because I can put the kickstand down in a hole for a temporary stop. I've been wondering if I can find something solid, but foldable, to take on the road, just in case.

 

Intersting thread. At my house the driveway is about 1" lower than the garage slab. I ended up securing a small $40-ish hand crank to the inside of the garage. (I removed the handle and use a ratchet for space reasons). After getting the trailer "close" with the truck I winch the trailer in tongue first. Three small pieces of 1/2" plywood reduce the rise to two steps. Allows easy, controlled entry into the garage.

View attachment upload_2021-3-31_15-57-12.png

In the field, I loop a thick rope through the tongue/trailer and wrap it around my hips so I can use my legs. Helps avoid injuring my back from stooping over. The hips loop is set-up for quick escape in case things go awry. Stows easily in the forward exterior storage and can be useful for other things.

Cheers,
--Ken

 

I replaced the original front wheel jack that came with the CI with a Trailer Valet, MV Series 5x. It was early days for the Trailer Valet and they didn't have as many products / options as now. The manual of my model is attached and you can use email address trailervalet.com to see further information.

Using the tow vehicle is inconvenient to move the trailer in and out of the garage just to do project work. The Trailer Valet, although expensive, but handy to move the CI around at home. Also, It is useful to move the trailer at the campsite or during hookup, unless the ground surface has very poor traction. My previous tow vehicle did not have a backup camera, and moving the trailer instead of jockeying the tow vehicle made the process a snap. I travel alone and any aid to move the trailer is a plus.

There are two positions to put the crank (or socket with cordless drill) that drive the jack wheel at fast or slow rate. The steering (pivot) handle must be lifted completely to release the internal brake in order to move the trailer. This comes in handy (release the steering handle) to ensure the trailer when stopped, remains stopped.

I present this an one option you may wish to consider.

 

I've looked at the Trailer Valet, but concluded there wasn't space to mount it on my 550. I know there is a (still) more expensive model that attaches to the ball mount, but that seemed like overkill. Do you have a picture handy?

 

I forgot to mention you must drill holes into the frame. And yes the Trailer Valet does fit. Somewhere I'm sure there is a photo of it in the up position, but can't locate it just now. I've had the Trailer Valet since 2016 and over 30,000 miles. Also, you can see where and how I mount the table extension. The hook on the extension is to hang a trash bag.

View attachment upload_2021-4-2_15-27-47.png

 

I purchased a new trailer tongue jack this winter to install whenever the snow leaves the ground and we go fetch the 560 out of dry storage. I think it will be overkill - it is rather heavy (60 pounds, I think). But I'm intrigued b/c it has a ratchet option and a large bar for using the ratchet. I am hopeful that the increased heft, double tires, improved tire material, and ratchet bar will all combine to make the 560 much easier to move around in both my driveway and on soft ground, both places where the current factory jack has proven frustrating at times.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack/Ark/ARK54FR.html

 

Trailer Valet currently discounted at Costco:
costco.com/CatalogSearch?dept=All&keyword=TRAILER21JM&EMID=B2C_2021_0530_June_Mailer

 

This one works well for my trailers:CastleCraft Trailer Mover Dolly | Seitech and Trailex Trailer Mover Dollies

 

That looks way better than the cheapy one I have now. Thanks, that might be a good option.

 

This Tongue Jack Chock works great… It goes under the tongue jack wheel every time the camper unhooks from the TV.
It makes for very smooth and easy moving around on a concrete floor. I got it obviously for camp set up use, but it’s great at home in the garage. When on the road it stores easily in the outside, upfront compartment.
Camping, we chock the tongue wheel as I as we unhook. When the tongue wheel is safely chocked, you can start leveling up and not worry much about the camper rolling away. On steeper grades I usually get some weight on each jack in the back before actually unhooking.

 

Reviving this thread from last year. I'm set to pick up our trailer next weekend and am considering a dolly to move it in and out of our garage.

Is everyone still liking their Tow-Tuff dolly? I'm considering either the 600 or 800lb option.

 

I don't know your situation but I considered one of those before I acquired my 560. But I found it was easier to maneuver, in the garage, than I had expected. Finally got to save some money. ;-)

 

Good to know. I may just wait and see.

 

Oh yeah, if the space is level asphalt or concrete many people would expect to be able to maneuver by hand.

On the other hand, that’s not every one. I have little trouble as a brawny flabby male of retirement age, if that’s a helpful reference. My wife wouldn’t think of trying it alone. (fully loaded 560 with much gear and a canoe!)

 

We got a trailer dolly from the original owner of our 550, and it sat around the hangar collecting dust until last year when our daughter bought a pop-up camper, and needed something to help move that around, so it found a new home. I'd wait and see if you really need it. You may find something more useful to spend that money on.