Garage Parking Question

The slop is at the interface of the post and the caster socket. Therefore the slop is not a function of extension of post.
The trailer is is much easier to get rolling when the post is higher. YMMV

Originally Posted by Mr. Adventure

'Sloppy on the post" should be made worse by cranking it higher (by cranking up the post, "slop" would allow more slopping with a longer post length, right?). And cranking it even a foot or two higher wouldn't appreciably change the weight carried on the post (the same trailer loads are basically still in the same positions horizontally).

The swivel of the caster wheel would move the support point for the tongue plus or minus a few inches, though, with a lighter tongue load when pushing the trailer backwards vs pulling it frontwards. A few inches probably wouldn't amount to much. But a swing tongue that moves the tongue support point from from 2 feet forward to 2 feet back should have a considerable effect (for example, reducing the effective distance of the post to the axle from about 120" to about 70" would add substantially to the weight on the post and caster wheel).

Something else to play with on the scale.

[ThePair]

+1 to Harbor Freight for the dolly and winch. Winch was the cheapest remote model available, works well, albeit slow. But, for $50 or less, I'm not really complaining, vs. who knows how much for an RF remote model from another source?

I have the cheapo dolly as well, and I just make sure I've inflated the tires before each use. It seems like it's a little flimsy, in that the fit and finish is poor, and the handle wiggles, but it's not showing any signs of failure yet, and again, I won't cry over the cost if I ever need to replace it.

Something to be said for cheap Chinese knock-offs, indeed

[Mr. Adventure]

Originally Posted by Jim&Joan

The slop is at the interface of the post and the caster socket...

Sorry, I was thinking about the other end of the post. I'm glad it works!

mmDv

I also use the Harbor Freight dolly and it works well. I did buy a different ball-it comes with 17/8 and replaced it with a 2 inch ball with a longer shaft that allowed me to add about an inch worth of big washers so the ball is mounted higher. This way I don't have to lower the TM to as low as it would go, before the modification.
And be especially careful if you are dealing with any approach that is not level, as on the dolly, once the TM has momentum it is not easy to stop.
Good luck.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by moaboy

And be especially careful if you are dealing with any approach that is not level, as on the dolly, once the TM has momentum it is not easy to stop.

A very good point. Here's a lesson I learned in a campground, almost the hard way. Before you put the tongue on the dolly, fix in your mind where the cable to the breakaway switch is hanging, and which way you pull it to pull the pin and apply the brakes.

Yes, it is right in front of you, and yes, you pull it forward. But in a moment of panic, you don't want to have to stop and think about what to do.

Just my thought (and experience).

Bill

[mbd4kids]

Not sure what you are aiming toward, but we have a Power Caster Electric Dolly that we purchased when we bought out TM, and do not use. Would love to sell it if you are interested. We are outside of Phila, PA.

Not pushing the above for sale post, but I have a power dolly and I love it. I can put my TM withing 2" of the wall with one hand. The power dolly is expensive, but I figure it is less than back surgery. If you have any grade at all, the hand dolly is difficult. By all means if you try it, tie a string to the breakaway line and then to the handle of the dolly so you can pull it quickly. ( make sure you have the battery connected).

Originally Posted by mbd4kids

Not sure what you are aiming toward, but we have a Power Caster Electric Dolly that we purchased when we bought out TM, and do not use. Would love to sell it if you are interested. We are outside of Phila, PA.

You have a PM...

did you sell your power dolly?

That sounds like a simple, cost effective idea to use an electric winch to pull your TM into your garage, particularly for folks like me with a driveway which slopes down from the garage.
Appreciate if you can reply with any information on how you installed your winch in the garage, like how did you securely mount it and any other tips or advice. Thanks in advance for your reply.