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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Madison, WI
    Posts
    278

    Default Motorized Boat Dolly

    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.
    Jim Hagen
    Madison, Wisconsin
    facebook.com/signedgewraps

    2011 Moomba Mobius LSV - Exiled
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    2,522

    Default Re: Motorized Boat Dolly

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2skM...e_gdata_player

    Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
    http://www.instgram.com/jlyons30
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2006 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2017 Moomba Craz - Enzos, Lead

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vancouver, WA
    Posts
    5,456

    Default

    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.
    So when is this "old enough to know better" supposed to kick in?

    2001 MobiusV - Slightly Modified...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Madison, WI
    Posts
    278

    Default

    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?
    Jim Hagen
    Madison, Wisconsin
    facebook.com/signedgewraps

    2011 Moomba Mobius LSV - Exiled
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vancouver, WA
    Posts
    5,456

    Default

    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.
    So when is this "old enough to know better" supposed to kick in?

    2001 MobiusV - Slightly Modified...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    2,522

    Default Re: Motorized Boat Dolly

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

    Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
    http://www.instgram.com/jlyons30
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2006 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2017 Moomba Craz - Enzos, Lead

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    2,522

    Default Re: Motorized Boat Dolly

    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..

    Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
    http://www.instgram.com/jlyons30
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2006 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2017 Moomba Craz - Enzos, Lead

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    14,071

    Default

    I bent the hitch on the lawn tractor from the tongue weight. Been pushing by hand since then.
    My Mom said I'm not allowed to get wet!
    2008 LSV (sold)
    2000 Outback LS (sold)
    LLTR!!!!!!!!



  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Posts
    23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by parrothd View Post
    I built mine and use it with a single axle..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2skM...e_gdata_player

    Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
    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.
    2012 Moomba Mojo 2.5
    Brittany Blue and White
    Stereo system:
    Kicker and Wetsounds
    6 Kicker cabin speakers
    2 Wetsounds Rev8 Tower speakers
    Wetsounds AS 10 subwoofer

    Dave

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    2,522

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by davlow06 View Post
    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...
    http://www.instgram.com/jlyons30
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2006 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2017 Moomba Craz - Enzos, Lead

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