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Have a car that needs to be moved around your garage? Car dollies, also called car skates, are a reliable option. They act as four-wheeled skates for your tires, allowing you to move a car freely and smoothly wherever you want or need. In this piece, we’ll show you some of the best car dollies on the market today.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Hydraulic car dollies are an all-in-one tool. They have a pedal attached to a built-in hydraulic jack that pumps the car into the air for you. This is a great option if you’re looking to save yourself some time and effort. However, this convenience has a catch. The price is usually significantly higher than standard models.
Standard car dollies are the more basic option. You have to jack the car up separately before you can place it onto the dollies. Standard dollies are a good choice if you won’t be using them often, or if you’re looking for a more affordable option. The lack of a built-in jack significantly drives the price down when compared to hydraulic models.
Mostly famous for their drywall tools, Pentagon Tools also makes some solid dolly sets. Founded back in 2006, they make some very well-reviewed skates. Their best-known model is the 5060, a tough, decent-capacity standard set.
LiftMaster is no stranger to toughness. Founded in Oak Brook, Ill., the company has been around since 1967. Known for their garage accessories, LiftMaster has made a name for itself in the dolly game with their tire skates.
If you’re looking to buy from a company focused entirely on cars, this one should top your list. In business for more than 30 years, Red Hound makes incredibly tough, solid car products and accessories. Dolly-wise, the Red Hound Tire Skate set is top-notch.
It is important that you don’t exceed your dollies’ weight capacity. This can lead to instability or failure, putting both your car and your safety at risk. Naturally, the higher the weight capacity of the dolly, the wider the range of vehicles it can hold. If you’re going to be moving heavier vehicles, this is a key feature.
Some dollies come with brakes for some or all of the wheels. This is an extra level of security for you and your car. While unlikely, losing control of a dollied car while moving it can be a hazard. Brakes come with most models, but not all.
Toughness is the name of the game here. Ideally, you’ll want the surface, wheels, and hardware of the dolly to use a hard material like steel. This quality increases both the performance and longevity of the dolly.
Some dollies come with handles or straps for easy transportation. This can be helpful if you’re moving them between car shows, garages, or other spots often. Many can also be used for objects other than cars, like furniture.
Our top pick is a great set of standard skates. Their most unique feature is a slightly larger plate than the rest of the pack, offering more stability. They also sport an integrated hole in the body for easy storage on a hook or screw in your garage. This is especially useful if you’re short on space.
The 5060’s 3-inch ball-bearing wheels, which come greased from the factory, provide a fluid movement. They also come in at a very solid price point for a set of four. If you’re on a budget but want to put your car completely on a dolly set, this is one of the best choices for you.
The 5060 has no brakes or locks on any of its wheels. This may leave you unable to keep a dollied car in place. The packaging can arrive damaged with missing parts due to poor handling or packing.
This is a very solid set of skates made for average/lighter cars. It fits tires up to 14 inches wide, one of the most accommodating racks on this list. It also features 3-inch cast-iron wheels, the toughest wheels this list has to offer as well.
These dollies are also rated for riding mowers and trailers, which could make it your one-stop solution for moving all of your smaller vehicles. The wheels also feature ball bearings for a reliably smooth push.
A tradeoff for these features is a low weight capacity at 4,000 pounds. This is primarily an issue for larger vehicles like full-size trucks. They also lack brakes, making it difficult to keep the vehicle positioned if the floor isn’t perfectly level.
On top of raising your car with all-steel jacks, the G6313L raises the bar. This hydraulic dolly has a higher vehicle limit, rated for up to 6,300 pounds and 13-inch-wide tires. This is a slight step-up over the standard of 6,000 pounds and 12-inch tires—an important improvement if you’re moving big, heavy vehicles.
The wheels are built to stand up to these increased capacities as well. Made of nylon and backed up by double ball bearings, these wheels offer a smooth push even when near the weight capacity. The jack is also more user-friendly than most, achieving more height with fewer strokes than comparable models.
While the wheels are top-quality, they lack brakes. This becomes more of a factor when used on heavier vehicles. On top of this, they are quite heavy at 47 pounds with no portability features. All of this comes with a price tag that scrapes the top of the higher-end range.
The Red Hound skates make our pick for the best value skates for their build quality and versatility. They also sport a comparatively low price, even for a set of four. These skates feature ball-bearing wheels and axles, which add to the longevity and smoothness of the dollies. Strong, polycarbonate wheel casters and brakes complete this great set.
A unique feature is the Red Hound’s wide array of color and number options within the set. They also come with an option to add a rack, a unique addition that makes it easy to transport two or four dollies at once. Their capacity is comparable to other options, rated for 1,500 pounds and 12-inch tires.
The wheels tend to lose some of their smoothness when approaching the weight limit. This is something to consider if you’re going to be moving 3-plus-ton vehicles on a regular basis and need a near-effortless feel.
The Sunex Hydraulic Dolly stands out with its usability and lack of upkeep. An oversized, L-shaped foot pedal prevents slippage and toe jamming during the lifting process. Its sturdy, ratcheting design is relatively maintenance-free as well.
On top of these unique features, the Sunex has a built-in carrying handle for transportation. This is especially useful with hydraulic models that tend to be heavier to move than standard dollies. It also sports two locking brakes per dolly and comes with a one-year warranty for all parts.
The Sunex comes with the usual high price tag of most hydraulic models. The wheel quality also leaves a lot to be desired. Compared to other options, the wheels are more prone to lock up when the dolly is under a heavy load.
Built of heavy-duty metal, this dolly from Pro Lift will support a wheel of up to 12 inches. The curved platform securely cradles the tire. Then the four castors move in 360 degrees for full maneuverability. It has a maximum weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. The dimensions for the dolly are 25.2 x 16.93 x 4.92 inches.
This dolly is simple yet durable. Its black coating protects the metal from rust and corrosion. The curved tire cradle is the most secure method for supporting your car’s tires. The heavy-duty metal also ensures that it will be capable of supporting your car.
Unfortunately, the castors are on the smaller side. This can make it harder to move your car. You also only get one dolly, so you need to buy three more if you want the full movability of your car.
This single hydraulic dolly has a maximum weight capacity of 1,500 pounds. It has a ratcheting foot pedal that controls the hydraulic lifting function. The castors are a good size at 4 inches, but they lack a locking feature. There’s also no solid platform to support the tire. Instead, it rests cradled between two support beams.
You’ll find that the castors on this dolly are easily moveable, which makes it a breeze to roll them in any direction. They align quickly to help you have better straight line rolling control. The hydraulic lift feature is a nice touch and gives you more functionality as you can lift your vehicle without touching the frame.
Unfortunately, you only get one dolly, so to have any kind of functionality, you’ll need to buy three more. You’ll find them bulky and challenging to store since each one weighs 40 pounds. This can be quite expensive when compared to other dolly sets. It’s also more prone to failure and requires more maintenance since it has a hydraulic lift system.
This set of dollies come as a four-pack. They have a total maximum weight capacity of 6,000 pounds. Each dolly has two wheel locks and a handle for easy maneuvering. Solid steel is used to fabricate the dollies. They’re given a powder-coated finish to protect against rust and corrosion.
These dollies have a simple yet sturdy construction. They prove that you don’t have to get fancy to have high functioning equipment. When you go to put your car’s wheels on each dolly, you’ll notice that they are sunk in the middle and have a rough tread. This helps to keep your car’s tires secure on each dolly.
One downside of this dolly set is that you’ll have to assemble it yourself. Be careful to not overtighten the nuts and deform the lock washers. The metal casters don’t roll easily, and it’s almost impossible to get them rolling in a straight line.
This set of two dollies have a maximum weight capacity of 2,000 pounds. They’re convertible and can support your vehicle in three different ways. You can put them under the wheels, under the pinch welds, or on the frame. When not in use, they stack and nest together to minimize their required storage space. You don’t need tools to use the dollies. They use a pin and locking system.
The fact that you can use these dollies in three different ways is truly unique. This gives you more usability and versatility when using them. The pin lock system makes the dollies easy to adjust so you can work faster. The locking casters are a nice touch so that you can keep your car immobile.
Unfortunately, the castor mounts aren’t as strong as the rest of the dolly. This can cause them to bend and eventually break under the weight of your car. It’s also only a set of two, so you’ll need to buy two sets to have the four you’ll need to move your car.
A: Built-in hydraulic jacks are a convenience feature. The job can be done without them, using a standard jack. This choice boils down to whether the time and effort you can save with hydraulics are worth dropping a few more dollars. Take a moment to think about how and how often you’ll use your dollies in a typical year or so.
A: Not a total deal breaker, but a huge factor. A car placed in a stable position with no brakes will likely stay this way. However, brakes give the vehicle extra stability.
A: While brand names can give you a general sense of quality at times, it’s more about the specs. Some dollies can outlast and outperform well-known brand models, so you should judge each model on its own.
Car dollies are useful and versatile tools. They can be helpful anywhere from a professional shop to your own garage.
Overall, the Pentagon Tools 5060 is our winner for its build, value, and storage options. The Red Hound Skate Set gets our value pick for its impressive build at its price point.
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