Powered trailer dolly

**Bill** · 09-17-2022, 05:28 AM

Resurrecting an old topic.

I have limited maneuvering space in my driveway, and my Ford F-150 requires a bit more to make the turns with the trailer. I have the hand dolly from Harbor Freight and it is no longer adequate. As my grandfather used to say, "Old age is creeping up on me", and for me it means that I really would like a powered trailer dolly.

I would prefer one with pneumatic tires, AC-powered (though I would consider battery). I'm a bit leery of the hand-cranked or drill-powered ones unless someone has had a great experience. Ground to be traversed is hard-packed sand and small gravel, no grass or soft spots, almost level but not quite. Oh, and one that does not require taking out a second mortgage on my house.

I would like to hear about your experiences with one, and good sources for them. I would particularly like to hear from anyone who has one for sale. I am located in New England in the summer, and central Arizona in the winter - could pick up from either area.

Thanks to all

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 09-18-2022, 11:52 PM

I literally just saw -- a day or two ago -- an ad for these powered movers in Costco's latest mailer. Have no idea if they're what you need, but Costco's buyers are generally quasi-selective, with a good price/quality balance. And they have an unbeatable return policy.

Dave

MrGallegos · 09-19-2022, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

Resurrecting an old topic.

I'm a bit leery of the hand-cranked or drill-powered ones unless someone has had a great experience.

Thanks to all

Bill

I have the Trailer Valet hand crack with the drill attachment. I tried to use the drill but mine must not have been charged enough to make it move or my drill was underpower. I ended up using the crank. For small moves or to reposition the trailer the Valet worked good. But for large moves your better off getting another person and pushing the trailer, it was much faster and easier. The Valet does help even when pushing the trailer as it can be used to steer the trailer and has a brake (by letting go of the handle).

Wavery · 09-19-2022, 10:06 AM

I've had a few different types of electric trailer dollies. My 1st one was a "Power Caster PC-3". It was a 110v, single inflatable tire, power mover and it moved my TrailManor easily (but extremely slowly) on flat, dry concrete. That one cost me about $1500. I now have a 12V (operates on the TM battery), single wheel power mover and it does equally as well moving my TM (faster) on flat concrete and even if it's wet or a slight upgrade. It is a LOT cheaper too. It costs about $250.

The problem that ALL of the power movers have is TRACTION. Most of them will move your TM with power to spare but most fail when it comes to traction and that's where you are going to find your biggest challenge.

You can find some that have lots of power and large inflatable tires that will do the job but you may find it cheaper and cleaner to have a concrete pad poured where you navigate your trailer, after your truck moves it as far as it can.

If you really want a power mover that can move your tailer over any kind of soil, you will want to find one with 2 large inflatable tires and a LOT of power. I saw one recently that was remote control and the mover had tracks. In my mind, that the ultimate mover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhD4aRSXcw

**ShrimpBurrito** · 09-19-2022, 12:22 PM

The one I saw in the Costco ad I think had tracks. And it's remote controlled. This one:

https://www.costco.com/trailer-valet...100756155.html

...though it's only rated for 3500 lbs. They make bigger ones though, with the next size up being rated for 5500 lbs (RVR5), but it's pricey -- about $4k on their website. But Costco members get discounts though, even if it's not on the Costco website. On Trailer Valet's website, the RVR9 rated for 9000 lbs is $4620, but Costco members can get it for $3500. So perhaps the RVR5 could be had for less than $3k -- I just can't immediately find the Costco discount. Their website says they also have a few refurbished units. A Costco discount on a refurbished unit could be a good deal if they offered it.....

Dave

Jampcourt · 09-19-2022, 12:36 PM

I purchased a ParkIt360 a few years ago as my trailer is in a tight space behind my house on an alley with a fence on the other side. No room to maneuver. The model I purchased has been redesigned and the price has gone up a bit as well (have had mine for five or so years). It has served me well. I use a separate battery for it that I keep on a BatteryTender when not in use.

It's an expensive way to go, but I've never been sorry I purchased mine. My TM currently sits on a hard pack surface which has a slight incline from alley level that the ParkIt360 handles just fine.

Here is a link to the model comparable to the one I bought, as I said it has just been redesigned/improved?

https://parkit360.ca/collections/tra...41156456022197

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jonathan

Wavery · 09-19-2022, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jampcourt

I purchased a ParkIt360 a few years ago as my trailer is in a tight space behind my house on an alley with a fence on the other side. No room to maneuver. The model I purchased has been redesigned and the price has gone up a bit as well (have had mine for five or so years). It has served me well. I use a separate battery for it that I keep on a BatteryTender when not in use.

It's an expensive way to go, but I've never been sorry I purchased mine. My TM currently sits on a hard pack surface which has a slight incline from alley level that the ParkIt360 handles just fine.

Here is a link to the model comparable to the one I bought, as I said it has just been redesigned/improved?

https://parkit360.ca/collections/tra...41156456022197

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jonathan

That looks like the way to go if there is any loose terrain involved. I like the concept of the motor applying force to the tire as apposed to an axle. Much less chance of traction issues.

I see that it doesn't come with a battery or cables. I think that wiring it into your TM battery with a quick disconnect plug would give you much more power, especially if you have solar that keeps the voltage up.

**Kidkraz** · 09-19-2022, 05:03 PM

Bill, I have used the Purpleline trailer mover since 2014. My driveway has a decent slope, but these motors saved me several headaches parking. On some sites, I've disconnected and drove the camper into the site, hitch first, so my door points to my neighbor which is normally a friends site. Basiclly I'm parked backwards on the site.
It does have a grade limit, I want to say anything steeper than 6% it won't move the trailer, or the motors start slipping. I've had that happen when parking in my driveway, so I get it angled to where the slope is minimal and it doesn't slip. It survived a tire blowout in 2017. So the motors are fairly tough.
There is a weight limit, the customer service folks can give ya up to date info.
I didn't install the system, a friend did. The left motor was snug next to the left motor. Since I'd removed the Electra toilet, I then decided to remove the drainline. You may have more room, where there's no interference with your toilet drain.
Since the motors turn the camper wheels, the camper moves itself. The only hiccup is with soft ground, the touge wheel sinks.
It has a very sharp turning ability, when running the two motors in opposite directions.
Pictures are posted in my album. Good luck with your decision.

https://purplelineusa.com/product/en...-motor-system/

**Larryjb** · 09-20-2022, 07:17 AM

I have the Powermover AC6. It can actually pull my trailer up a 1:8 sloped driveway, but my driveway is aggregate concrete. It would likely be skidding on smooth concrete. Power is no trouble though.

It also has a switch to activate the trailer brakes which I like a lot.

**digditches** · 09-21-2022, 06:09 PM

We have a Parkit 360 Model 360L for sale in Southern CA. You can find more information on the 2009 2720SL listing in the Pacific Region for sale section.