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But Harbor Freight is selling 10 in. Pneumatic Tires with White Hubs for $6.00. Can't get a better start to making
a dolly than that.
Speaking of sockets, I had been buying multiple sockets sets with ratchet, ratchet wheel, adapter, extension, and a metal case—complete—for $3 each. Made in India, the kits had sockets in both ¼" and ½" sizes. The smaller sized sockets were handy for spacers on bolts. Can't say I broke any of 'em.The harbor freight dollys are junk. I bought one for my shop and it didn't roll on my wood floors. Total garbage. The wheels just lock up. Although harbor freight might have some useful things...like cheap sockets or whatever, I pretty much find their stuff to be a waste of money. Don't even think about their power tools.
ratchet, ratchet wheel, adapter, extension, and a metal case—complete—for $3 each
Macs are great tools I have a few. I found a Blackhawk wrench recently—another quality manufacturer. But once you've got one Snap-On tool, the rest appear 2nd-best. Blue Point is their non-warranty "sub-brand". Most Craftsman hand tools were made by S-K, as were Husky, of Home Depot "fame". The reason I mention all this, is that even Snap-On is now made in China!Seems impossible, especially with several layers of profit for the distribution. I paid $80.00 for a single 3/8" Mac ratchet 30 years ago. It's on it's 3rd or 4th set of gears and I use it almost every day. I expect that it will last my remaining days.
Yeah, sorry... I get that, but I too am looking for a short distance transport solution, and have debated adding a trailer hitch coupler to a Dynamic or Seitech dolly; but then that gets one to debating whether an inexpensive trailer is a better solution. It does seem that both a dolly AND a RightOn® trailer are overkill for my needs. So, I was just tossing it out there to see if anyone had opinions as to the corrosive resistance of the HF small boat trailer in salt water use. Sorry if it seemed like thread-jacking.This thread is (mostly) about dollies, not trailers...
That trailer will be (a bit) awkward when used as a (hand) dolly.
Photos required!We just modified a golf caddy for a dolly and bought a tiny boat trailer for transport.
A four-minute tow (at 5-MPH) sounds like a perfect use for a modified "trailer-dolly". Northern Tool was selling them for $49 last summer.I will be cartopping the 'fish from SF up to Bodega Bay where it will remain in our garage. From the Bodega home it is about a 4 minute drive to the boat ramp at the harbor
(there is a fairly steep hill with a pretty tight switchback between home and the launch spot.)
I think you best bet is a single rail trailer like a Tee Nee. It's about as light as your going to get and still have it hold together going down the road.
A four-minute tow (at 5-MPH) sounds like a perfect use for a modified "trailer-dolly".
Flashing lights might attract unwanted attention, whereas a small red flag would meet regulations in the other 49 states. Tell law enforcement that the switchback makes a full-length trailer inadvisable.
The above trailer-dolly already has a short wheelbase—a plus. If you keep the tongue short—and your turn wide—the switchback could be eliminated as a problem. If needed, an extended ball mount will help make that turn:
.
Group buy!!! Three each?Trailer dollies are available out of China for just $30 each, but you have to buy 300 of 'em!
.
I give the sucker 5 stars.
Yes, the tires are cheap, but replacing pneumatic tires cheaply every few years might be preferable to heat buildup with the foam-filled tires.I had read on the NT site that those, (cheap?), pneumatic tires have a tendency to go flat and one might want to upgrade to the run-flat version of the dolly.
The "narrow wheelbase" refers to the effective distance between your car's rear axle and the dolly's axle. (Shorter is better). The dolly has a narrow track—which is mostly a good thing for navigating a switchback.As the cost and build labor time increases on such an approach, I start looking back at adding a tongue to a purpose built dolly, especially considering I can disassemble or hang such a lightweight unit easily. Not looking forward to my first attempt at that switchback with a trailer in tow, (I'm a towing neophyte), but your advice is helpful. (I assume you mean "narrow" wheelbase above?)
Here in Florida second hand trailers are easy to find <...>
heat buildup with the foam-filled tires. "narrow wheelbase" (Shorter is better). narrow track— good thing for navigating a switchback.
Bolting on the shortest possible length of (removable?) pipe would allow upright storage at home.
Sorry for all the mess! I haven't used it in a couple months and it was buried in the depths of my garage.Photos required!
Sorry for all the mess! I haven't used it in a couple months and it was buried in the depths of my garage.
rust resistance & dolly alternative