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Our Top 5 Heavy Duty Boat Trailer Dollies for 2024

Maneuvering a boat trailer without the aid of any tool is backbreaking, not to mention foolhardy. If you find yourself literally bending over backward when trying to move your trailer, then we can help. Dollies can come in handy and save the day.

And no, I’m not talking about dollies from the toy store but a trailer dolly to help you stay out of the emergency room from throwing out your back.

If you’ve bought your first boat, you most likely know that it can take some hard work, sweat, and maybe even some tears to get it all set for the summer months. As you are sweating and almost in tears from trying to figure out how the heck you are going to get the boat ready, this is where trailer dollies swoop in.

While you are getting your boat organized with its trailer in the garage, it wouldn’t take you even a minute before you realize that you’d need a boat trailer mover.

Benefits of a Boat Trailer Dolly

In addition to protecting your back when moving heavy equipment, a boat trailer dolly is also easy to maneuver. A high-quality trailer dolly can help you maneuver even in the tightest of spaces so you can properly position the trailer where you need to.

Additionally, boat trailer dollies are also affordable. Due to their simple design, they don’t cost a lot to manufacture. So, you can easily find one that is well-made and built to be durable and reliable without having to break the bank to do so. A high-quality trailer dolly will also last you for several years to come, making it even more of a worthy investment.

Trailer Dolly Key Features

Before purchasing your new boat trailer dolly, read on to learn more about the key features you want to look for as you begin narrowing down your choices.

Weight Capacity

This is, by far, one of the more important factors to consider before purchasing a boat trailer dolly. How much weight are you going to have to lug around? Choose a dolly that can hold even more weight than you think you need.

Adjustability

Trailers are heavy, which can make them even more difficult to move and maneuver. So, having an adjustable trailer dolly may be in your best interests. You can adjust the hitch without having to push the handle all the way in. This will be helpful if you are on uneven ground or need to reposition.

Dolly Materials

Trailer dollies are also made to be durable and reliable, and they are designed to last for years. An all heavy-duty steel-constructed dolly is good to have. Others may also feature a powder coating, making it resistant to rust and corrosion.

The Dolly Handle

The dolly handle provides us with the leverage we need. So, the longer the handle, the more leverage we are afforded. More leverage means it is easier to move the trailer. You should also find a handle that offers a more solid and slip-resistant grip. Solid rubber grips are ideal.

The Balls and Wheels

Finally, the wheels are also an important consideration as well. Some have flat-free tires, and some have inflatable wheels. When looking for something compatible with your trailer, take notice of the wheels and the hitch ball size.

Our Top Pick:  Best Heavy Duty Boat Trailer Dolly For Sale

Voted No.1

Tow Tuff Heavy Duty Trailer Mover

best value boat trailer dolly

boat trailer dolly for moving boats

Trailer dollies are a revolutionary boat accessory that will help you navigate your trailer around the boatyard and to its storage area painlessly and with ease. Steering around tight corners without a scratch will finally cease all of the times you swore you wanted to just get rid of your boat due to the frustration of moving the trailer.

Now, this won’t be the case. With the best boat trailer dolly, you can stop holding your breath every time you try to move your boat. Both your boat and the boat trailer pose a challenge to your garage’s dimensions. Dollies are the best solution to this math problem. With the perfect trailer hand dolly, you will be able to keep your garage in perfect order and your wits intact and stop the cursing all at once.

Take a look at five of the best boat trailer dollies that we have lined up for you.

1.  Tow Tuff Adjustable Boat Trailer Caddy with Caster

boat trailer dolly wheels

boat trailer dolly for sale

Tow Tuff’s TMD-800C adjustable boat trailer dolly is rated for heavier loads than the below-mentioned units – a good 800-lb max weight capacity. Its third wheel makes it more stable, stronger, and easier to maneuver compared to other trailer dollies, no doubt about that.

This heavy-duty boat dolly is built with a solid steel frame and 12-inch flat-free pneumatic tires; this boat trailer dolly has many features that will allow you to use it with various trailers. It is a versatile boat trailer dolly that will ease your frustration. With this design, there is no reason to fuss about an unstable trailer dolly anymore.

THE PROS

  • Adjustable height advantage – you can adjust its height from 16.5” to 25.5” so that it’s leveled with your trailer. Towing is so much easier when both mechanisms are aligned well.
  • 2 wheels + 1 caster – the 8” caster makes rolling smoother and steering much easier on this 3 wheel trailer dolly. It also evens out the tongue weight capacity and takes away the load from you as you push or pull.
  • Wide wheelbase– the 30” wheelbase width ensures extra stability when making turns, especially in tight spaces. This way, there is no time or energy wasted when you are trying to clear those tight corners. The wide wheelbase will help you avoid accidental scratches and marks.

THE CONS

  • The plastic handgrips tend to slip off on this boat tow dolly. Yes, this can be a total pain in the butt. We understand that can be more disappointing especially for a dolly at this price point. But, no need to panic. We have figured out a hack to help this itty bitty drawback.

Would you like to hear a simple hack to fix that problem? 

Remove the handgrips and apply some adhesive on the insides. Then slip them back onto the handlebar. Allow the adhesive to dry before using the dolly. This can help prevent this issue from occurring and reoccurring in the near future. This way you can feel safe and sound that this trailer wasn’t a total fluke. Outsmarting the only flaw of the Tow Tuff’s TMD-800C…two can play at that game!

THE TAKEAWAY

It’s pretty obvious: If you need to move a variety of trailers and only have the budget for one boat trailer dolly, then Tow Tuff’s adjustable 3-wheeled boat dolly wins hands down. It offers the durability that you look for in trailer dollies, the desired price point, and is one of the more versatile trailer movers on the market. It moves with ease and grace, almost comparable to a ballerina (yes really). With the convenience and stability of the 3-wheeled stability feature, it is one safe and innovative choice. We rest our case!

2.  MaxxHaul 70225 Heavy Duty Trailer Dollys

trailer tongue dolly

trailer hand dolly heavy duty

Give your back a break and see what MaxxHaul 70225 can do for you. There will be no reason for throwing out your back and cursing away at an inanimate object. This dolly offers two wide wheels for stability and just under a 40″ handle for the perfect leverage every time.

The MaxxHaul can help ease your foul language and curb your frustration. With its heavy-duty and solid steel frame build and 12-inch pneumatic tires, it’s easily your next all-around best. It works not only for your boat or jet ski trailer but also for utility trailers within the 600-lb weight capacity that it’s rated for. It puts up a great fight for the heavyweight 600 lb champion title.

If you buy this boat caddy, you can start looking forward to years of superb performance and minimal disappointment. Compared to other trailer dollies, the MaxxHaul offers generous stability with its wide 12.5 inch wheels. The MaxxHaul 70225 can offer little frustration and maximum convenience when you decide to put your money into a higher-quality trailer mover.

That’s sound spending to us.

THE PROS

  • Easy assembly– the unit is delivered to you in dismantled parts, but putting them together is no sweat with the instruction manual that comes with it.
  • Maintenance-free performance– it is solidly built and requires no regular maintenance to keep it going. Just the usual wash down after each use and you’re good to go.
  • Multifunctional – it can move various types of trailers – we’ve already mentioned that, right? But it also moves with great ease on different terrains, such as mud, sand, or grass. That’s the very reason why some boat owners call it one of the best heavy-duty boat trailer dollies.

THE CONS

  • If you’d want to be particularly meticulous in finding a flaw, we think it would be its lack of portability. Once you’ve assembled it, it stays that way. No folding parts to keep it compact when transporting or storing it away. You’d have to knock it down to its storable parts. However, we believe that that is the tradeoff you’d have to live with for the sturdy build that you get.

THE TAKEAWAY

Our take is that the benefits clearly outweigh the lone drawback. Additionally, we love the fact that this heavy-duty boat trailer can withstand just about any terrain you’ll be put up against. The wheels are perfect for grass, gravel, and sand making it one of the easier trailer dollies for you to use. Instead of being left behind in the dust, you will be cruising right through the sand.

Lastly, we almost forgot to mention that this boat trolley is very affordable – you wouldn’t even dig deep into your pocket.

The unit delivers what it says it will – that’s all-important. As to the minor issue, there’s a way to go around it – place the dolly inside the boat when you hit the road, not in your car trunk where it wrestles with your ice chest.

Now, isn’t that cool – I like this boat trailer moving dolly!

3.  Tow Tuff  Boat Moving Dolly Moves with Casters, TMD-1000C

two wheel trailer dolly

boat trailer dolly with brakeYet, here’s another adjustable boat trailer hand dolly from Tow Tuff. How does it differ from TMD-800C? For one, it’s designed for 1000 lb. It comes with two 16” flat-free pneumatic tires and one 10” swivel caster – these are absolutely massive.

It conveniently makes rolling on the unleveled ground a lot easier! You’d know that this is made for higher weight capacity by its hitch ball size of 2” and height compatibility range of 21”-33”.

PROS

  • Caster advantage – the swivel caster acts as a pivot for negotiating tight turns effortlessly. As in other 3-wheel models, it takes some of the trailer’s weight away from the user. This way, you will never curse at another corner again when trying to move your boat.
  • Greater weight capacity – the 1000-lb load capacity makes moving a variety of trailers easy and safe. There will be no reasons to run to the emergency room for a thrown-out sore back.
  • Bigger pneumatic tires – for greater stability, maneuverability, and weight capacity. Bigger tires move easily on grass, mud, or sand because their bigness adds more surface traction. You know what they always say, the bigger the tires, the better the move.

CONS

  • The general gripe about TMD-1000C is its tendency to tip when it’s pushed. The thing is this: Trailer Dollies – especially those weighed down by tall, heavy trailers – are used best for pulling and not for pushing. It’s the safest way to handle a dolly. The only time you push – and only in a downward direction – is when it’s time to negotiate tight spaces. You will have to be aware of this one drawback when moving your boat. It may take an extra ounce or two of caution.

THE TAKEAWAY ON THIS MANUAL TRAILER DOLLY

It’s always safer to choose boat trailer dollies with a rated capacity that’s around twice the tongue weight capacity of your loaded trailer. So for a little bit more in cost, this is one of those trailer dollies that will allow you to use it on a variety of trailers and still be on the safe side.

There’s one thing to keep in mind: the hitch ball attaches to couplers 2” in diameter or larger. So if you have trailers with couplers of 1-7/8”, then the TMD-800C would be a better fit.

4. Giantex 600lb. Utility Trailer Hand Dolly

Giantex 600lb. Utility Trailer Hand Dollytow dolly for trailer

If you are looking for a dolly with a much greater weight capacity, then this Giantex Heavy Duty Trailer Dolly is just what you need. It can sustain up to 660 pounds and can do various heights. It is made from a high-quality iron wire connecting procedure, making this dolly much stronger and more durable. The heavy-duty wood included in its construction also lends to its solidity.

This boat trailer dolly is ideal for moving smaller boat trailers, and it has an extra-long handle providing you with much more leverage when you need to move and maneuver the trailer around more effortlessly.

It also features two pneumatic tires (10.5″ x 3.5″) for smoother movements on a variety of different terrain. They also maintain good pressure for increased safety.

Assembly is easy and straightforward. Everything you need to put this dolly together is included in the instructions and illustrations provided with your purchase.

THE PROS

  • Maneuverable– The longer handle provides the leverage that you need to steer a heavy load.
  • Inexpensive – when looking for max capacity, there is no reason to empty your wallet and compromise capacity. You can find an affordable dolly that will get the job done for a price that won’t hurt the bank.

THE CONS

  • Wheels –Some had reported that the wheels are wobbly, even when there was only a max load weight of up to 200 pounds.

 THE TAKEAWAY ON THIS TOWAbLE TRAILER DOLLY

If you are looking for an affordable boat trailer dolly that can hold more weight, this is definitely an option. It is ideal for smaller boat trailers, has an extra-long handle for additional leverage, and features all-terrain pneumatic tires offering good pressure. The high strength and durable build are great for the money you will spend. And the assembly is quick and easy, with clear directions included with the purchase.

5.  Tow Tuff Adjustable Small Trailer Dolly, TMD-600AFF 

dolly wheel for boat trailer

trailer tongue dolly wheel

We’ve started the list with a 600-lb capable dolly, so why not end it with a competitive opponent, such as Tow Tuff’s TMD-600AFF? The MaxxHaul is a heavy-duty fighter and challenges other trailer dollies for the crown title. In terms of comparability, the MaxxHaul truly puts others to the test and has an edge over other models with similar spec prices.

However, in case you’re wondering, could this adjustable trailer dolly possibly win over MaxxHaul if not for the yawning price gap? Let’s take a quick look and see what this strong competitor is all about.

They’re generally on equal footing when it comes to max tongue weight capacity, hefty steel frame construction, number of wheels, and 1-7/8” diameter hitch ball.

THE PROS

  • It has a slightly longer handle – though it’s just a little over an inch, the added leverage can mean something. This could be the make or break the difference between being drenched in sweat with a sore back or feeling like you can run a marathon after. It is important to consider what type of trailer dolly leverage you prefer and if this extra inch could benefit you in the long haul (literally).
  • The more significant advantage, though, is its adjustability in hitch ball height from the ground, which is from 15-3/8” to 24-3/8” compared to MaxxHaul’s fixed ball hitch height of 17”. This gives the Tow Tuffs dolly a slight edge over MaxxHaul’s big-league competition.

THE CONS

  • TMD-600AFF has smaller tires at 10” compared to MaxxHaul’s 12” solid rubber tires. However, it has flat-free, maintenance-free tires, which could spell another trailer dolly advantage for many would-be buyers out there. This trailer dolly maintenance policy could be the make or break the difference between loving your MaxxHaul or despising it.

THE TAKEAWAY ON THE TOW TUFF TRAILER DOLLY

The price factor, where MaxxHaul is the hands-down one of the best boat trailer choices, is nothing to sneeze at. However, if your situation demands the flexibility of the TMD-600AFF solid steel trailer dolly in terms of hitch ball height, then think no more about it.

The hitch ball’s added height is an absolute bonus if you can afford it and need it. This would be the case to stretch for that extra much-needed benefit rather than regret not getting a higher hitch ball in the end.

It is much more important to be safe than sorry if you think you could really use the extra length to levy the tongue weight capacity. You shouldn’t compromise usefulness in this case, it could end up biting you in the butt at the end of the day when your trailer dolly can handle the weight capacity.

Conclusion – Trailer Hand Dolly 

The boat trailer dollies we’ve featured and ranked have several different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to carefully examine each dolly to figure out which one might be best for you and your specific needs, whether that be weight capacity, solid rubber wheels, a long handle, or easy steering.

Always choose a dolly based on its strength that responds to what you need, and not solely on specs. Simply put, don’t buy an expensive dolly simply because it’s huge or rated with high capacity.

Ensure you have a specific feature in mind, like easy steering for maneuvering tight spaces or a long handle for some extra needed length. Buying a dolly that has just way too many tips and tricks up its sleeve can leave you confused and your wallet empty.

Sometimes the simple dollies do best in certain situations, and they can save you money in the long run. However, if there are specific qualities that you can’t imagine compromising on, spending a bit extra on the best boat trailer dolly could be the perfect way to save you the headache, frustration, and regret in the long run. Sometimes splurging a bit can be the best bet for your ideal trailer dolly.

Don’t forget to measure your trailer’s coupler height, determine its maximum loaded weight capacity, and find out other such details. These details can help you swiftly understand which trailer mover will compliment you and your needs the best.

Determine the tongue weight capacity of your loaded trailer (9%-15% of gross weight) and choose a trailer dolly with around twice this figure. In other words, don’t pay for impressive numbers if you don’t need them.

Read More: Boat Trailer Dollies

Boat Trailer Dolly FAQ

Still have questions? Read on below for answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.

Why do you need a boat trailer dolly?

You will find that a boat trailer dolly makes it much easier to move and maneuver your boat trailer with much less effort. It saves your back from dealing with the trailer weight while allowing you more precision when moving your trailer. It helps even if you are working within a tight space.

What is the difference between an electric trailer dolly and a hand trailer dolly?

When you want to do the moving yourself, you will choose a hand trailer dolly. You attach your trailer to the dolly and then pull and push on the handle to move the trailer. When you have an electric trailer dolly, there is a motor that powers the wheels of the dolly.

The controls are typically on the handle, allowing you to move the dolly back and forth. It is powered by a battery and is connected to the wheel axle and the chain. It allows for much easier steering and movement.

A motorized trailer dolly is ideal for people who don’t want to perform any lifting of any kind but still want effortless maneuverability. It makes moving the trailer easier to handle without any lifting on your part.

Is the ball height adjustable on a boat trailer dolly?

The level of adjustment you have all depends on the brand you choose to purchase. You can’t always adjust the ball height on each trailer dolly. If you choose a dolly without the ball adjustment feature, then the height of the trailer can be adjusted. The ball size can also be bigger or smaller, so if it can’t be adjusted, you can still adjust the other components.

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