Motorized trailer dollies?

[BKJ]

Anyone have any experience w motorized trailer dollies. My prob is that I have trouble backing my PUP (1500# dry weight) into the garage. We live on a narrow, sometimes busy road, have to back the pup over a berm, down a 20 degree slope for about 30 feet, into the garage where I have about 3 inches of clearance on each side. I haven't mastered backing yet but can move my PUP around by hand on flat ground, but would likely lose control on the slope. I have been considering one of these dollies to help me off load the camper at the street and slowly push down the hill. Do these things really work on hills? I saw some that are a couple hundred $ and some are a couple thousand. Any type work better than another?

 

[Fleetwood Max]

Don't know if I would trust one that was on a couple hundred. the RV dealers use them at the inside RV shows..and at the garage. at least my dealer does.. They work really well for that..

 

[Grandpa Hiker]

I would be very reluctant to attempt a 20 degree slope with any type of dolly attached to the tongue of the PUP. With only about 10% for the PUP weight on the tongue, even if the dolly has brakes the weight on the PUP would probably push the dolly down the slope. Purple Line has a trailer mover that includes two 12v. motors with rollers that press against the trailer tires. Stopping the motors is the same as applying brakes to the PUP tires. IMHO this would be much safer on a 20 degree slope than any type of tongue mounted dolly.

 

[Harvardroger]

I bought one for about $250 a few years ago. Best money spent. I use it to maneuver my Niagara around our drive way. It is much much easier than using the TV. I can drive the Pup right up to the hitch when I want to hook up. My parking area is pretty flat asphalt. I mounted it so it is removable. Usually don't take it to the campground. Just use it at home.

 

[BKJ]

Thanks for the input. I'll look into the trailer movers as well. I assume you would want to keep those attached to the trailer. Would love to see some of these gadgets in action. Will reach out to some of the dealers in the area to see if they carry anything like this.

 

[swordfish]

I bought one for about $250 a few years ago. Best money spent. I use it to maneuver my Niagara around our drive way. It is much much easier than using the TV. I can drive the Pup right up to the hitch when I want to hook up. My parking area is pretty flat asphalt. I mounted it so it is removable. Usually don't take it to the campground. Just use it at home.

Looks better than my Trailer Valet. What brand and where to get it?

 

[Harvardroger]

Here is the link, but not sure if it available.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/600-lb-12v-motorized-trailer-jack?a=1182628

 

[West Coast Canuck]

I have a parkit360 motorized trailer mover dolly. It effectively moves my 4500 lb TT around nice and easy. I love this thing. There is a brake control option if your pup is equipped with brakes. You can plug your trailer's wiring harness into it and control using the trailer brakes. Here is the link www.parkit360.ca They are pricey though.

 

[BKJ]

I have a parkit360 motorized trailer mover dolly. It effectively moves my 4500 lb TT around nice and easy. I love this thing. There is a brake control option if your pup is equipped with brakes. You can plug your trailer's wiring harness into it and control using the trailer brakes.

Thanks! I think the parkit360 might be the best option for me. Have you tried it on an incline? It's ok if I waste the money; it's not ok if it doesn't do the job and I lose my garage. I wish I could see a demo in action but I can't find anyone around here that carries anything like this. I think I would have to order from Canada.

 

[sierrapup]

i would be surprised if there was not a YouTube video on trailer dollies

 

[bldmtnrider]

Sorry, but I have to ask, did you actually measure the slope or are you estimating?, is it 20 degrees or 20% grade?

For reference 20 degrees is actually a 36% grade, which would be on par with the steepest street in San Francisco and over the 15% grade limit usually enforced on residential driveways. 20 degrees is STEEP!!

If you are actually working with a 20 degree slope I would spend the time learning to back the vehicle in rather than getting a motorized trailer dolly. At that angle (assuming you are backing down) you are going to have significantly less weight on the tongue which means you will have less pressure on the tires and thus less available friction between the tire and the driveway surface. The result would be an uncontrolled slide into the garage and hopefully you would be able to hit the opening. If you do go with a motorized trailer dolly, make sure you get inflatable rubber tires and have a secondary way to slow or stop the trailer (hook into the trailer brakes or a safety line to the TV) in case the dolly can't handle the grade.

You may also want to check with the manufacturer before you purchase to make sure it can handle that grade.

 

[TroubleBrewing]

I have a similar problem. I am thinking about making one of these.

 

[westlake ace]

I have a similar problem. I am thinking about making one of these.

X2 I have a lawnmower axle waiting for a 12v winch. I have less than a foot to spare between a telephone pole and the bumper of the tv when cutting from the alley.