Wheel Dollies
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 897
Likes: 244
From: Green Valley Ca
Wheel Dollies
I need to buy (4) wheel dollies, I'm looking at the dollies that lift the car and their are two types ratchet and hydraulic. Any feedback or comment's. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,218
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BOAT,
My experience with the dollies isn't with the type that lift but I'll relay what I learned.
Most dolly manufacturers say their wheels have bearings... you need to make sure the WHEELS have bearings not just the SWIVELS. On some dollies the axle bearings are an extra $. Without the axle bearings it's pretty difficult for 1 person to push the car around. It's still easy if just the chassis with running gear is on the dollies, but it gets pretty hard when the whole car is back together.
Regards,
Alan
My experience with the dollies isn't with the type that lift but I'll relay what I learned.
Most dolly manufacturers say their wheels have bearings... you need to make sure the WHEELS have bearings not just the SWIVELS. On some dollies the axle bearings are an extra $. Without the axle bearings it's pretty difficult for 1 person to push the car around. It's still easy if just the chassis with running gear is on the dollies, but it gets pretty hard when the whole car is back together.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
The key to a good dollie is to have large wheels so they will 'caster'. Ball bearing wheels will help it roll, but the hard part is getting the wheel to change direction. A 3" diameter wheel is minimum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I'm lucky enough to have 2 floor jacks and use them both at the same time to jack up one side w/o putting undo stress on the frame (at least I think I'm not).
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 2
From: Nixa Missouri
I have the hydraulic type that will lift the wheels/car up about 4 inches. They work great on my vette. The first time I had to move the car with them on, which by the way was nice and easy to move I figured they paid for them selves right then. I bought the larger 1500 lb type from northern tool. I've used them on my bass boat, and on my chevy truck.
The only problem I've had with the dollys are my truck tires are 16.5x12.50x33's BFG. When I bought the dollys I bought them for my vette but wanted to use them for the truck to. I didnt take into account the overall diameter of my truck tires and the dolly would not open wide enough to fit under the tire. They were just short by a half inch. I almost sent them back. I got to looking at the tires and I pull the truck up on small 2x10 wood blocks then the dollys slide under and then I jack up the floor dollys and remove the wood blocks.
Like I said I bought the dollys fo0r the vette and love them.
Hope this helps
The only problem I've had with the dollys are my truck tires are 16.5x12.50x33's BFG. When I bought the dollys I bought them for my vette but wanted to use them for the truck to. I didnt take into account the overall diameter of my truck tires and the dolly would not open wide enough to fit under the tire. They were just short by a half inch. I almost sent them back. I got to looking at the tires and I pull the truck up on small 2x10 wood blocks then the dollys slide under and then I jack up the floor dollys and remove the wood blocks.
Like I said I bought the dollys fo0r the vette and love them.
Hope this helps
