Car dollies - worthwhile?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
Car dollies - worthwhile?
I saw a set of car dollies for $45 yesterday and wondered whether they were worthwhile. The car is currently up on jackstands and takes up all of our two-car garage. I was thinking of putting it on a set of car dollies so I can roll it to the side and let my wife park her car back on "her" side of the garage (a very popular idea with the missus) when I'm not working on it.
If you use (or have used) dollies, what's your opinion? How easy is it to get the car on and off them to put it back on jack stands or back on the wheels?
If you use (or have used) dollies, what's your opinion? How easy is it to get the car on and off them to put it back on jack stands or back on the wheels?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
They work great as long as your floor is level. If not the car can roll by itself, and it might not be where you parked it. 
But I have a set and they work fine.
But I have a set and they work fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
$45 for a set of 2, or 4? Different quality can make a big difference. I bought mine from Harbor Freight. Cheap, but not top quality. It can be a real struggle to move the vette around. I have to crawl underneath and twist the wheels with a wrench to make them point in the right direction. All in all, it's really not too bad... but sometimes I wish I had just paid more money for something that is easier to push around the garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I bought my first pair at a Big Lots store for about $45 a pair a few years ago and then a pair from HF for $49 a couple years ago. I liked the first pair so much, I had to do it to all four wheels. Orginally, my idea was to put a floor jack under the front crossmember with the dollies at the other end and roll it that way. I like my dollies and they appear exactly like what is sold in the auto parts cataloges. When they are not under the car tires, I use them to make my stick welder and heavy parts mobile. If you are planning to buy and have time, wait for them to go on sale. They roll purdy easily on my epoxy painted concrete floor and can recommend them @ 4 for $100.
You only gain a couple inches of floor clearance and you put it on jack stands the same if they were not there. I often use two jacks on the front and rear frame corners at one time.
You only gain a couple inches of floor clearance and you put it on jack stands the same if they were not there. I often use two jacks on the front and rear frame corners at one time.
Last edited by Red 69; Jan 1, 2006 at 03:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
I saw them for $45 at the local TSC. I should have looked at the box more carefully to see whether that was each, per pair or for four dollies. I'll check it out in the next couple of days.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
I have a set that I LOVE, but I paid a lot more than $45 for them. Mine have a foot brake on them. It's a little flip type bar that you can move with your foot. It locks one of the wheels, which keeps them from rolling. Also, make sure the set you're buying is wide enough. I have seen narrow sets, and the wide tires of a Corvette would not work on them.
One more thing,...if you get a set, make sure you keep your tires aired up correctly. If you allow a tire to go flat, they can sometimes flip off the dollie when you go to roll the car. Then the dolly flips up and cracks your car or puts a dent in the rocker trim.
However, I wouldn't have a garage without a set,...myself.
One more thing,...if you get a set, make sure you keep your tires aired up correctly. If you allow a tire to go flat, they can sometimes flip off the dollie when you go to roll the car. Then the dolly flips up and cracks your car or puts a dent in the rocker trim.
However, I wouldn't have a garage without a set,...myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,689
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by Glass Act
They work great as long as your floor is level. If not the car can roll by itself, and it might not be where you parked it. But I have a set and they work fine.
But I have a set and they work fine.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by C3 RV
Because the entry to the house is barrier-free, the garage floor slants noticeable toward the driveway - which slopes down to the street. Probably not a good choice for me.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Buckner Missouri
It has been my experience that Harbor Freight has a pretty good no hassle return policy. I'm gonna get a set of 4 next time they go on sale and try them out. If they suck then I'll be returning them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
I know we all try and save a few dollars at times. A friend has, what I'll call a cheaper set of dollies and they are an effort to move his car. I paid $245.00 for 4 dollies made by Car skates. I can move my cars with one hand without any effort. You may find that the cheaper ones will not work as well and dislike them, not to say there aren't some good ones out there at a lower cost.
Another way to look at it, our Vettes were expensive new in whatever they were built compared to other cars, and here we are today still with the best cars built, way ahead of their time. Remember, you get what you pay for
My 0.2 only
Another way to look at it, our Vettes were expensive new in whatever they were built compared to other cars, and here we are today still with the best cars built, way ahead of their time. Remember, you get what you pay for
My 0.2 only
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Glass Act, Are these the ones you have? Carskates?
http://www.carskates.com/spec.htm
I see they are $245 Canadian, but $180 US. I would seriously consider buying a set if they would make the vette easy to move around the garage.
http://www.carskates.com/spec.htm
I see they are $245 Canadian, but $180 US. I would seriously consider buying a set if they would make the vette easy to move around the garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Originally Posted by PRNDL
Glass Act, Are these the ones you have? Carskates?
http://www.carskates.com/spec.htm
I see they are $245 Canadian, but $180 US. I would seriously consider buying a set if they would make the vette easy to move around the garage.
http://www.carskates.com/spec.htm
I see they are $245 Canadian, but $180 US. I would seriously consider buying a set if they would make the vette easy to move around the garage.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Chardon Ohio
My son in law bought four from Harbor freight last week for $90 for four. Put them under his car the same day and the car is real difficult to move. I bought a set at the same time for my 71 vert and think I will take them back based on how difficult it is to move his Mustang.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 20
From: Madison Indiana
I bought a set a couple of months ago. I researched it some, and settled on these that are linked below.
They have the ball bearing axles, and are wide and deep enough for my Vette tires. I'm very pleased with them. I can move the Vette around the garage with minimal effort.
I bought the 12" wide deep set with BB (ball bearing) axles.
http://www.tireskate.com/
http://www.tireskate.com/ts12deep.htm
They have the ball bearing axles, and are wide and deep enough for my Vette tires. I'm very pleased with them. I can move the Vette around the garage with minimal effort.
I bought the 12" wide deep set with BB (ball bearing) axles.
http://www.tireskate.com/
http://www.tireskate.com/ts12deep.htm
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 510
Likes: 13
From: Fort Collins CO
Go Jaks
I tried the cheaper Harbor Freight models, pain to have to jack up car difficult to roll around in garage so I returned them & stepped up an bought a set of gojaks. They fit around each wheel & then have a foot jack built into each unit that you raise the car with & then roll around like on ice any direction...only concern would be size of car tires and of course you pay for what you get, I paid $425 for a set of 4 used ones, I have seen some cheap repros but stick to the real deal..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,689
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
St. Jude Donor '15
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Mine came from http://www.car-dolly.com/. I have no problem pushing the car over the 3/4" gap between the concrete slabs in my garage by myself. Like others have said above, they're more expensive than the Harbor Freight ones but they're quality.