Anyone use power dolley's to move their boat?

[Lavey29]

I am thinking about buying one of those electric power dolleys to move the boat in and out of the garage at home which is a tight space. Anyone use one now? How do you like it? Seems to be 2 main types, the Power Caster and one other brand but can't remember the name. Have any of you tried that trailer tote wheel base that fits on the bottom your lift jack? Are you able to move the boat around manually very well with that rolling base on the bottom of the jack? I can't remember what name that thing was being sold under in the mags. It cost like $75 and seemed like it would work ok on small boats but not sure about larger ones...

 

[Kachina26]

Tough to pivot a large boat with one, at least sharply.

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

my freind bought one and it was a pain in the ass to move a 3ax trailer(28'heat) concrete has to be dam near flat,he sold it and just does it with his truck

 

[OutCole'd]

I wanted a power one until I watched a neighbor use his. Total pain. 3 axle trailer in a pretty tight spot, the dolly kept falling over on it's side, the you have to start all over. I hear they may work great in some applications, but this time, it would not work at all.

 

[TOBTEK]

I wanted a power one until I watched a neighbor use his. Total pain. 3 axle trailer in a pretty tight spot, the dolly kept falling over on it's side, the you have to start all over. I hear they may work great in some applications, but this time, it would not work at all.

when we were hot to buy the place at the Islander, was thinking these would be a good way to squeeeeze the boat on those tiny spaces.......

 

[shaffewm]

We have one and it is very handy for getting all the stuff in the garage...I have a 27' fundeck and it moves it around fine...but...I went with the heavy duty model and like one poster said..if the ground its't flat you will be in trouble..http://www.powermoverinc.net/...

 

[Not So Fast]

The Trailer Tote as its called (fits under your jack) does not allow much movement with a bigger boat, at least in my case. About the only thing it does is allow some side to side movement to make up for poor trailer backing up but hard to move! NSF

 

[Duffster]

I have a Power Caster and would not trade it for anything.

 

[Lavey5150]

They work awesome unless your simply have no trailer skills, if that's the case, you shouldn't own a boat...............

 

[SJP]

Have the three wheel wide model - have been using it for years. As long as you have hitch weight (placing the adapter on the trailer as far in as possible you are fine). I could not store my boat in the garage without it. If you get the proper setup it will not tip over. The one a got was made in Dana Point and I believe they have a shop in Stanton.

 

[Lavey29]

Well, about a 50-50 split on good or bad...that makes the decision to drop a G on one really easy. I wish they had a demo model you could try out to see if it works. I know you need the multi wheel dolley if youhave a heavy trailer. I am only backing up a short driveway with a slight grade but when I get inside the garage, that is where it gets tight. I am able to back up my 29 V bottom OK with my truck into the garage but I am thinking that a 28 deck boat will be much harder due to the shape which gives less room for cutting and turning the trailer....

 

[Lavey29]

Have the three wheel wide model - have been using it for years. As long as you have hitch weight (placing the adapter on the trailer as far in as possible you are fine). I could not store my boat in the garage without it. If you get the proper setup it will not tip over. The one a got was made in Dana Point and I believe they have a shop in Stanton.

Do you know the name of the model/brand that you use?

 

[ShockwaveBobSquarePants]

You have to get the heavy duty model with a bigger boat. I've used them, they work fine unless you're "mechanically challenged." The right tool for the right job and all that.

 

[Kachina26]

I must confess, that if I'd had a more robust model, it would have been easier. It worked well for what I had to do. But, I got to my old storage unit one night right before a nasty monsoon. I didn't want to be out in the weather, so I decided to see if I could just put the boat in without it. Wouldn't ya know it, I nailed it first try. That's when I decided that I just didn't need it, so I sold it to a board member.

 

[Kachina26]

Speak of the devil http://www.performanceboats.com/html/forums/showthread.php?t=5332

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

i was just going to post that:beer looks small

 

[Lue]

I have a power mover and I could not get my boat in and out of my driveway without it. We also have a fairly steep grade and it works just fine. Mine has not tipped over on me once...I just dont see how that happens. I believe mine is the 3 wheel model also. Well worth the money IMO.

 

[SJP]

Do you know the name of the model/brand that you use?

(AC5)3 wheel - 27 foot baja in a garage with 3 inches on either side (the architect who designed my garage was an idiot). It has worked great.

The owner knows his stuff and will tell you the best adapter and model for your trailer and situation. If things do not work he will trade things out etc etc. I would look at the AC6 - three wheels with a much longer extension to get under the trailer. By placing the adapter farther back and being able to use the extended length of the dolly you will get better traction. From what I here people are tipping the smaller ones when you try and use the ball adapter at the end. Yes it looks a lot more convenient but the physics just do not cut it. If you really need the tool the right one is worth every penny...

 

[Lavey29]

Speak of the devil http://www.performanceboats.com/html/forums/showthread.php?t=5332

thanks for the link and the info. That is a power caster for sale. The only reason I am hesistant on that one is because you have to drill the adapter plate into your trailer as opposed to bolt on. I think I need the 3 wheel model also due to the size of boat and 3 axel trailer.

 

[Lavey29]

Thanks for the info guys. I am kind of leaning towards the power mover also. I may wait and see how the back in is with the truck first but of course then I am relying on the wife in the back to guide me and last time at Havasu she guided me right into the sink in the back of the garage...and of course she blamed me for that accident... :hmm

 

[TPC]

I've used one for 9 years.
I've bolted on the adapters, but welding them on is far better because the adaper may/probably will eventually break. Especially if you forget to remove the wheel chocks you'll see how powerfull it really is.

Get at the least, the two wheel mod or the more wheels the better on the other brands.
Adjusting the tire pressure to your magic number means everything for traction and ability to manuver.

It needs pretty much level ground to work or it will may get away from you, so until ya get the hang of it have chocks at the standby for safety.

Can't imagine it working very well with tripples with tight turns.

If you can do the same job with a front mounted (removeable) trailer hitch on your truck perhaps consider that first.

 

[Lue]

Thanks for the info guys. I am kind of leaning towards the power mover also. I may wait and see how the back in is with the truck first but of course then I am relying on the wife in the back to guide me and last time at Havasu she guided me right into the sink in the back of the garage...and of course she blamed me for that accident... :hmm

Don't feel too bad, my wife gave me directions to place my trailer fender perfectly on the wrought iron fence too. :fsakes:beer

 

[Lavey29]

I've used one for 9 years.
I've bolted on the adapters, but welding them on is far better because the adaper may/probably will eventually break. Especially if you forget to remove the wheel chocks you'll see how powerfull it really is.

Get at the least, the two wheel mod or the more wheels the better on the other brands.
Adjusting the tire pressure to your magic number means everything for traction and ability to manuver.

It needs pretty much level ground to work or it will may get away from you, so until ya get the hang of it have chocks at the standby for safety.

Can't imagine it working very well with tripples with tight turns.

If you can do the same job with a front mounted (removeable) trailer hitch on your truck perhaps consider that first.

Thanks for the info. I will have a triple trailer. Its tight fit but just a few little turns should do it but it is a little tricky doing those turns with the truck. I thought about the front hitch also. A friend of mine did it and he said it worked well also....thanks