Choosing the Right Trailer Dolly: The Ultimate Guide

Trailer dollies are incredibly useful tools no matter what kind of trailer you have, but you want to make sure that you choose the right trailer dolly for your needs. Hand trailer dollies to remote-control dollies are fantastic for maneuvering your trailer or moving short distances without all the hassle of rigging the trailer up to your truck. To help you select the best option for your trailer, here’s the ultimate guide to choosing the right trailer dolly.

Types of Trailer Dollies

As we mentioned, there are two different types of trailer dollies for you to choose from, depending on your needs, wants, and budget.

Hand Trailer Dolly

Hand trailer dollies are the simplest and typically need to be constructed after they’ve been delivered to your home and include a steel frame, wheels, a handle, and a hitch ball for towing. Hand trailer dollies can only handle a fraction of the weight that their motorized counterparts can, and it’s important you don’t surpass the indicated weight capacity on your chosen dolly. As such, hand trailer dollies are typically best suited for lighter, smaller loads. This type of trailer dolly comes in two- and three-wheel configurations, with the three-wheel being considered more user-friendly for its greater stability.

Electric Trailer Dolly

Battery-powered electric trailer dollies remove all the need for physical labor and are ideal for handling large trailers that would be too heavy to move by hand. These dollies are also incredibly convenient for precision maneuvering or moving short distances because you don’t have to hook the trailer up to your truck or try to finesse the trailer and truck into position. Electric dollies are simple to use and typically controlled via remote control.

Factors To Consider

Materials

A trailer dolly needs to be a sturdy and reliable piece of equipment, which is why you’ll often find all-steel dollies to be the most durable and readily available. To make the dollies more resistant to issues like corrosion and rust, a protective coating of powder is added to prevent processes like oxidization from occurring. Keep this in mind when picking out your trailer, as you’ll want to be certain the dolly has this protective coating before you buy it.

Adjustability

Because trailers are big, bulky, and encumbering, your trailer dolly should be able to adjust its height and maintain enough flexibility to ensure it can effectively move your trailer. A good feature to look for in a dolly is the ability to adjust the hitch’s height without fully depressing the handle. This feature allows the hitch to be readjusted with only a minimum amount of force, which is especially advantageous when moving your trailer over uneven ground.

Weight Capacity

Before buying your dolly, consider how much weight you need to move. If the weight of your trailer exceeds the weight capacity of your selected dolly, you’ll soon find the trailer dolly breaking down from stress and strain. Your dolly also needs the correct tongue weight to effectively move your trailer.

Handle

If you choose a hand trailer dolly, make sure the handle is long and sturdy. This is fundamental because it will provide you with the leverage you need to move a trailer hundreds of pounds heavier than you. The longer the handle, the more leverage you’ll have, and the simpler it’ll be to move your trailer. Furthermore, a quality trailer dolly will have a good rubber grip to ensure your hands stay firmly planted on the handle.

Ball and Wheels

The quality and characteristics of a trailer’s ball and wheels vary between brands and models. For instance, one trailer may have inflatable tires while another uses flat-free tires. You’ll also need to make sure the dolly is compatible with your trailer, as some may only accept couplers two inches or bigger while others have more specific hitch ball sizes, like 1 7/8 inches, to join with a coupler of the same or larger size.

Benefits of Trailer Dollies

If the ultimate guide to choosing the right trailer dolly still hasn’t quite won you over, allow us to also share with you some of the benefits you’ll gain by making this investment.

Improved Maneuverability

As mentioned, trailer dollies are fantastic for fine maneuvering, allowing you to position a trailer exactly where you want it without the hassle or guesswork of doing it with a truck. Steering a trailer in a tight spot is especially difficult, and a trailer dolly will save you a lot of stress and worry that you may damage your trailer or another person’s vehicle.

Save Time

Because you don’t have to hitch your trailer to your truck every time it needs to be moved or adjusted, a trailer dolly will save you a lot of time by being quickly attached and moved in a matter of minutes. Simply wheel the dolly to the trailer, lift it up, and move the trailer instantly and with greater precision.

Protect Your Health

Choosing the wrong trailer dolly doesn’t just make it more difficult to move your trailer; it also increases the likelihood that you will over-exert yourself. With a proper trailer dolly, you’ll prevent yourself from harming your back by trying to move a great deal of weight. If you’re older, an electric dolly will also completely remove the stress and strain of moving a dolly by hand.

Affordability

Lastly, consider that trailer dollies are quite affordable. Dollies have simple designs, and the parts are cheap and easy to manufacture. As such, you won’t be making a massive investment, and the cost will quickly pay for itself with how much time and effort you save after the first few uses of your new dolly.

Trax Power Dolly Systems is the preeminent supplier of electric dollies, and we highly encourage you to get in touch with us today if you’re in the market for your own trailer dolly. Our experts will be happy to help you learn more about how a trailer dolly can benefit you, and we will aid you in selecting the right one for your trailer.

Choosing the Right Trailer Dolly: The Ultimate Guide

Jason Day
"I've been using the TRAX X2 powered trailer dolly to move my 5th wheel trailer ...
Read More
"I've been using the TRAX X2 powered trailer dolly to move my 5th wheel trailer around in tight camping locations, and it has been a total lifesaver! In the past, I used to struggle to navigate my trailer through narrow spaces and tight corners, but with the TRAX X2, I can easily and precisely maneuver my trailer exactly where I need it. The joystick control is incredibly responsive and allows me to make small adjustments, even in tight spaces, easily. Overall, I'm thrilled with how much easier and more efficient the TRAX X2 has made my camping trips, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in a similar situation." Jason Day - Portland OR
Jason Day
Sergei Boutenko
The dolly arrived yesterday and all I can say is WOWZA ! When the Fedex
Read More
Sergei Boutenko
The dolly arrived yesterday and all I can say is WOWZA! When the Fedex truck showed up, I instantly dropped what I was doing and started assembling the TX6000. Then I grabbed my camera and started shooting. 🙂 My first video just went live: https://youtu.be/qUF10nUPbIY a few minutes ago. Here is another one with me moving a tiny home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHHLZq51XQ
Sergei Boutenko
Sergei Boutenko
James Willis - Pasadena CA
Sorry for the delay in writing my customer testimonial Jeff, we just got back from ...
Read More
James Willis - Pasadena CA
Sorry for the delay in writing my customer testimonial Jeff, we just got back from a long-needed vacation. Ok, my thoughts on your trailer mover.. It's Fantastic!! When I talked to you over the phone and told you the gross weight of my trailer was 2000 pounds over your limit and that I might be using it on grass and gravel. You were confident the TX6000 would move it nicely. I am very happy to say it did the job perfectly! Thank you for your time spent talking with me during the weekend. It still surprises me that you were available to talk so late at night. Best wishes to you and your company James.
James Willis - Pasadena CA
James Willis - Pasadena CA
Kerry Stark - Shamokin Dam, PA
Hey guys I received my Trax power dolly this week. I am very impressed with ...
Read More
Kerry Stark - Shamokin Dam, PA
Hey guys I received my Trax power dolly this week. I am very impressed with its overall construction and nice detail. You can tell it's a quality built item. I'm sure it will serve me well. In this day and age it's nice to buy quality from people who take pride in their work. Thanks again for going the extra mile and doing it right. I will glad to recommend your product to others. I already posted on Facebook on one of my RV sites showing pics of the Trax. Thanks again!
Kerry Stark - Shamokin Dam, PA
Kerry Stark - Shamokin Dam, PA
Richard Sharpe - Camarillo, CA
Thanks for your great customer service. It is nice to know that when something goes ...
Read More
Richard Sharpe - Camarillo, CA
Thanks for your great customer service. It is nice to know that when something goes wrong, your people stand behind your products and fix the issue. well done.
Richard Sharpe - Camarillo, CA
Richard Sharpe - Camarillo, CA
Jeff Pulikowski - Sioux Falls SD
All I can say is that this is AWESOME . It far exceeds any expectation
Read More
Jeff Pulikowski - Sioux Falls SD
All I can say is that this is AWESOME. It far exceeds any expectation I had when I purchased it. Not to mention the fact that it is whisper quiet. I can’t thank you enough for producing such a superior product at a more than fair price.
Jeff Pulikowski - Sioux Falls SD
Jeff Pulikowski - Sioux Falls SD
Better build dolly indeed!
I have owned a few power dolly solutions to move my bass boat into my
Read More
Edward Derosier
I have owned a few power dolly solutions to move my bass boat into my tight garage but none of them could get my trailer's tires over the curbing. They simply didn't have enough speed to drive the tires over the quick rise and simply caused the other powered dolly solutions to lose traction and spin on the spot. The TX6000 had a huge amount of power and speed. I was able to hop over the curb as if it never was there in the first place and the ability to switch between high and low speeds at a flick of a switch was what I've always wanted. It took me only a few seconds to get used to the thumb speed control for super smooth pushing and pulling my boat trailer. I was very impressed with how easy it was to connect, operate and move my boat trailer in and out of my Garage. Thank you Jeff Sawlor for driving up to Brampton and giving me a demo of how to use this amazing power dolly. I'm SOLD! It's the Easiest to use power trailer dolly on the market. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgIcS8N8dmo&feature=youtu.be[/embed]
Better build dolly indeed!
Edward Derosier
This is a shop review. Note that the product_id is -1. Customer service is ...
Read More
Sample Customer
This is a shop review. Note that the product_id is -1. Customer service is good!
Sample Customer

All

Latest
5 Important Safety Tips for Operating Trailer Dollies
May 24 2023

5 Important Safety Tips for Operating Trailer Dollies

Simple operation still requires optimal safety. Look at these five important safety tips for operating trailer dollies and some additional advice.
Parking Your RV Trailer: 3 Essential Things To Remember
May 19 2023

Parking Your RV Trailer: 3 Essential Things To Remember

There are three essential things to remember when parking your RV trailer. Explore this post to discover beneficial advice and safe practices.
Why You Should Buy an Electric Dolly for Your Boat Trailer
May 01 2023

Why You Should Buy an Electric Dolly for Your Boat Trailer

Whether it be for precise maneuvering or to protect yourself from injury, here’s why you should buy an electric dolly for your boat trailer.
Powered, Hand, or Electric Trailer Dollies: Which Is Best?
Apr 27 2023

Powered, Hand, or Electric Trailer Dollies: Which Is Best?

Between powered, hand, or electric trailer dollies, which is best for you? Let’s take a closer look at each model to learn its strengths and weaknesses.
The Importance of Electric Brake Controllers on Your Trailer
Apr 17 2023

The Importance of Electric Brake Controllers on Your Trailer

If you’re going to travel with a larger trailer, then it’s important for you to understand the importance of electric brake controllers on your trailer.
Mar 31 2023

Revolutionize your Trailer Moving with Electric Powered Trailer Dolly by TRAX POWER DOLLY SYSTEMS

TRAX POWER DOLLY SYSTEMS presents an electric-powered trailer dolly that makes your trailer towing a breeze. Discover how this innovative product can revolutionize your...
The Easiest Ways To Move Any Heavy Trailer
Mar 28 2023

The Easiest Ways To Move Any Heavy Trailer

There are times when you’ll need to move your trailer, and your truck is too inconvenient or simply unavailable. Thankfully, there are different options for moving your...
Pintle vs. Ball Mount Trailer Hitches: What’s the Difference?
Mar 13 2023

Pintle vs. Ball Mount Trailer Hitches: What’s the Difference?

What’s the difference between pintle and ball mount trailer hitches? Here’s what you should know about the advantages and disadvantages they offer your...
Tongue vs. Gross Weight: What To Know When Moving a Trailer
Mar 10 2023

Tongue vs. Gross Weight: What To Know When Moving a Trailer

To successfully tow your trailer, you need to understand the difference between the tongue and gross weight. Here’s what to know when moving a trailer.
3 Things That Every New Boat Owner Needs
Feb 24 2023

3 Things That Every New Boat Owner Needs

Owning your very own boat is often an exciting experience, but there are three things every new boat owner needs to ensure they can enjoy it to the fullest.
The Most Important Features in an Electric Trailer Dolly
Feb 21 2023

The Most Important Features in an Electric Trailer Dolly

When looking for a trailer dolly that’s right for you, here are some of the most important features in an electric trailer dolly that you should look for.
The Benefits of Remote-Controlled Trailer Dollies
Feb 15 2023

The Benefits of Remote-Controlled Trailer Dollies

If you enjoy camping or using a trailer in your work, you should consider the benefits of remote-controlled trailer dollies and how they can help you.
3 Things That Affect a Trailer Dolly’s Weight Limit
Feb 02 2023

3 Things That Affect a Trailer Dolly’s Weight Limit

To make sure you get a trailer dolly that is compatible with your trailer, you should know three things that affect a trailer dolly’s weight limit.
Jan 28 2023

5 reasons to own a TRAX Power Dolly

Key Things To Consider When Storing a Boat Trailer
Jan 23 2023

Key Things To Consider When Storing a Boat Trailer

There are a few key things to consider when storing a boat trailer until next summer arrives. Learn how to prepare your boat trailer for the off-season here.
X