[RA1John]

Anyone out there have Tire Dollies/Skates under their car?

I picked up a set of (4) at Menard's for $96 (rated at 1000 lbs ea.)
however, it took two of us to move the car ('68 Firebird Conv. w/engine).

I have another set (source unknown) under my 2nd '68 Firebird Conv. (no engine)
that moves a little easier but still requires two guys to move it.

Both have 3" casters w/hard plastic wheels that pivot but w/o bearings on the caster wheel axles.

I'm curious if anyone has used dollies that work better than what I have.
Should I invest $200+ for the type that has bearings on the caster wheel axles?
Are there dollies that support a 3k+lbs. car and allow it to be moved w/(1) person?

Appreciate your input.


Thanks,

[goldeneyee]

I have a relatively inexpensive set purchased from Harbor Freight and found the same problem until we greased all wheels and it moved much easier.

[Keith Seymore]

I'll have to check the brand of mine but I can move my 3600+ lb Chevelle by myself.

A couple disclaimers:

a) It takes some effort. I usually use my hind parts and push backwards against the car with my feet wedged against the floor. Pushing as far rearward or forward as possible (depending on which end you are attempting to move) seems to help.

b) In case it's not obvious I only attempt to swing one end at a time

c) For some reason there is absolutely no way the car will move lengthwise. You have to take it off the skates to do that.

d) Offer not available in Delaware (j/k).

K

[b-man]

I bought a set of 8" X 16" Tire Skates with the upgraded casters with the ball beaing pivots.

Made in the good ol' US of A.

http://www.tireskate.com/

I can move a complete '64 Lemans convertible by myself. A little hard to get it to go in the direction you want sometimes, but easy to roll once you get it moving a bit. Floor must not have any dirt or grit on it.

[JLHarper]

There is a few threads on this subject and I recall, everyone seems to post the cheaper ones are junk, and are hard to move by yourself.

I have two cheaper sets, one double the other in $......both require two people (or more) to get rolling.

I bought a set of high dollar GO JACKS commercial ones (cash...cheap sale) from a defunct body shop that worked great, had the jacks on them and they would lift the tire off the ground by jacking two sides together against the tire.
One needed new casters and one was need of repair but roll great! Not cheap new, but work.

Here they are and some others on this site mid way down:

http://www.etoolcart.com/automotive-wheel-dollies.aspx

[Guilty]

Just like Jeff said, the Gojaks are the best thing since sliced bread. If you look on craigslist you can find used ones pretty cheap for a set of four. They have different weight capacities roo so you can get ones rated for 1,500 lbs per wheel now so they will move a car with no problem. These are what we use to get cars in tight places for photo shoots and car shows. Just be careful when using them on uneven surfaces, because they sometimes get stuck in cracks in the cement.

[SRR]

I have a set of the cheapy HF ones with all steel casters. Like B-man said clean the floor first and lube the wheels AND swivels before each use. I usually only use two at a time on the rear wheels so the other two get used for other things like holding a transmission and the other one has my 160 anvil with stand on it so I can move it around.

[PLAY400]

I have 2 set of the cheap 1s, but mine have bearings and steel wheels. I agree with being able to push the car sideways by yourself but it is a B$%^h to move forward or ahead. I find getting the wheels all working the same way before moving makes a huge difference