Wheel Dollies

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Chuff
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Wheel Dollies

Post by Chuff »

Hey All,

I'm looking at buying a set of wheel dollies so I can move my car around in the garage. It's a Mk1 Ford Escort so not a heavy vehicle and the garage floor is smooth, level concrete. I've got 2 in mind and would like any real life experiences between the 2 types.

Type 1:
4pc-wheel-dolly-silver.jpg
4pc-wheel-dolly-silver.jpg (46.15 KiB) Viewed 4565 times
Type 2:
4pc-wheel-dolly-black.jpg
4pc-wheel-dolly-black.jpg (44.64 KiB) Viewed 4565 times
I'm leaning towards Type 1. The castors on Type 1 look more durable and sturdy than the ones on Type 2 but I'm only basing this on the photos.

Has anyone had any experience with either or both of these wheel dollies who can provide some insight/opinions into their performance, strengths and/or weaknesses.

Thanks.

Chuff
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Gampy
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by Gampy »

We don't have either of those manufactures ... However we do have several sets.

I prefer steel wheels, with underside stiffeners/bracing ...

Stiffeners/bracing on top like type 2 get in the way and soft wheels go flat making them hard to move.

Or cry once and go with GoJacks ...
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Chuff
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Location: Melbourne

Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by Chuff »

Thanks Gampy,

I considered GoJacks but I can't justify the cost just to eliminate using a trolley jack to load the car.
Gampy wrote:Stiffeners/bracing on top like type 2 get in the way and soft wheels go flat making them hard to move.
Understand about the bracing possibly getting in the way, especially with wide rubber, but I don't understand how wheels going flat make them harder to move. Am I missing something?

Chuff
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by vlad01 »

I have only used the ones that have a built in jacks. Would be much better than those above.
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Gampy
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by Gampy »

Square wheels don't roll so easy ... Getting 16 wheels off flat spots at the same time takes much more force to get it moving.

Pretty much any type of soft tire/wheel will deform and develop flat spots when left with weight setting on them, just like your car tires do when your car sets for a period.
However, soft wheel do roll over rough terrain better. (dirty floors)

They do have generic (cheaper) GoJack style. (Jack Ups)
Though as they say, buy them and cry twice or buy GoJacks and cry once!

Jack ups are great for cars you can't get a jack under or you're constantly putting them on and off the dollies (like a body shop), but I do prefer non jack ups when the vehicle sets on them a lot, that is how we store our toys so they pretty much set on them all the time. I built a special set of ramps and drive on and off them ... VERY carefully! They will flip up if not stabilized by the custom ramps.

Also jack ups don't works so good if the car tire goes flat on ya!
If it's setting on jack ups and the car tire goes flat, it sets it on the ground ... If you cannot get to that tire (maybe it's against a wall) you will have to drag it out ...

O-yea, bigger the wheel the better ...
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VK_3800
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by VK_3800 »

I have a pair of the second type, they have nice enough cast metal wheels and roll reasonably well on concrete floor. The braces don't bother me, but the overall dolly is quite large (like you could get a big diameter 355+ tyre on them) which does occasionally make them get in the way, might be overkill for an Escort. The size and shape does make them ideal for adding a board and using for other purposes though.

With a pair of dollies at one end and a decent trolley jack under the other you can move the car pretty much any direction you it to go. High quality casters are not as important as a trolley jack since you have four per car wheel, spreads the weight.
Chuff
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by Chuff »

Thanks VK_3800,

Good information. I'm leaning towards the Type 1 style so your input is making my decision easier.

Chuff
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delcowizzid
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by delcowizzid »

We use number 2 at work they wheel more engines around than cars but they work great for both lol
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Gampy
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Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by Gampy »

Whatever style you choose, I highly recommend two sets (4 dollies) if you can swing it ... Much safer movement then half on a jack.

Yes, they are very handy for other uses as well ... So have extras!
Intelligence is in the details!

It is easier not to learn bad habits, then it is to break them!

If I was here to win a popularity contest, their would be no point, so I wouldn't be here!
Chuff
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:28 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: Wheel Dollies

Post by Chuff »

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I started this thread favouring the Type 1 dollies as I listed in my first post. They looked smaller and more suitable for my little Escort but by the end I'm now thinking that the Type 2 dollies will not only suit my needs but may be versatile enough to use for other purposes. Thanks delcowizzid.

@VK_3800: I misread your post where you stated you had the Type 2 dollies and not the Type 1 dollies so my response may have seemed strange as a result. Sorry about that.

@Gampy: I will most definitely be getting 4 and not 2. I want all 4 wheels on dollies so I can easily move the car in all directions.

If anyone's interested here are the links to the 2 dollies I have in mind.

https://www.tauruslegend.com.au/4pc-com ... -jack.html
https://www.tauruslegend.com.au/4pc-car ... -jack.html

I'm not purchasing any right now but will be making my purchase in a month or so, so if anyone else has some input please feel free to give your experiences of either of these dollies and hopefully this information will give some insight to anyone else who may be considering making a similar purchase.

Chuff
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