Motorized Boat Dolly

[Rugburn]

Im looking for feedback from any other boaters out there that current use some kind of motorized boat dolly to move their boat around. I bought an old aircraft tug and had a friend modify it with a hitch ball. It has some center of gravity and traction problems, even on a flat driveway. I see plenty of tugs or dollys out there, Im just looking to see if anybody is using one of them successfully. One other thing, my tandem axle trailer is tough to move sideways, so please indicate if you have tandem or single axle.

[parrothd]

I built mine and use it with a single axle..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2skM1YDDFa8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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[bergermaister]

I have a tandem axle - toying with taking one of the HF trailer mover dollies and modifying it. Weld on some supports to beef it up, add power via a 1/2" low speed / high torque electric drill and chain driven sprocket setup. I don't want to spend a fortune on it as I can back the boat up to within about 8 ft of where it will rest. Just need this to help tuck it in and I have a slight turn to make as well as a very slight uphill grade.

[Rugburn]

Parrothd, do you have video of you using it with the boat?

Bergermaister, I bought the most heavy duty trailer dolly HF has and it wasn't the frame that let me down it was the wheels. I bent both of them in 2 minutes the moment I tried to turn my tandem trailer. Id suggest solid plastic wheels that will slide instead of bend on cement.

Anybody else have experience with something like these?

[bergermaister]

Unfortunately I'm going across some grass and gravel so would have zero traction with hard plastic wheels. If I go this route I'm definitely welding up some braces to solidify the thing so it doesn't crinkle the first time I put it to use.

[parrothd]

Sorry no, I'm usually in a hurry since I'm blocking my alley. Be sure to use the brake lock out.

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[parrothd]

You won't have enough traction if trying to push over grass gravel. It'll will just spin the wheels.. Better to get an ATV or small tractor..

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[kaneboats]

I bent the hitch on the lawn tractor from the tongue weight. Been pushing by hand since then.

[davlow06]

I built mine and use it with a single axle..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2skM1YDDFa8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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That's pretty nice. Do you use this just to move the trailer around or is it strong enough to pull the trailer and boat out of the water? Doesn't seem like it would be to me, but hey, you just never know.

[parrothd]

That's pretty nice. Do you use this just to move the trailer around or is it strong enough to pull the trailer and boat out of the water? Doesn't seem like it would be to me, but hey, you just never know.


It has just enough traction to move the boat around on flat concrete. I have a slight incline (maybe 1-2 inches) going into my garage and it barley makes it up that. Mainly use it to unhitch in my alley and maneuver the trailer for a 90 degrees turn into my garage and get it centered inside the garage...

[mmandley]

Not Motorized but looks pretty cool

Trailer Dolly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Y76SRa13s