Yard dolly or trailer mover?

gkainz wrote:
Allworth ... "no" what? "No, you do not?" or "No, no one on this site does?" :)

He's (obviously) answering applied to his own experiences.

Doubt he can speak for everyone on the forums!.:S..:S

~

Yes.

(However it was with/for a TT)

On flat ground - cement - it should do fine.

Make sure the brand you purchase is rated for the weight of the trailer.

~

The whole idea of moving a 5er with a small dolly is a tragic accident looking for a place to happen IMHO. Just plain scary to me.

Steve

gkainz wrote:
Thanks again for the response, Phil ... I've seen a few videos showing this setup move a 5er around, but I still kind of cringe, envisioning the tug walking out from under the kingpin, with just the vertical pipe, and then think that if it doesn't, it must be applying a lot of push force with the braces to the landing gear. Maybe it's just an over-active imagination on my part.
I envision using a tripod or 4 legged stand that spreads out the load and stabilizes the power tug, but apparently I'm over-analyzing the situation.

I'll look at the Power Caster a little closer.

re: wintersun - which brand unit did you go with?

I do have a spare aircraft tug (12v battery powered) in the hangar that I keep toying with re-purposing, but it's not built to carry any kind of weight load - simply a "push-me pull-you" affair.

The tube is only really to carry the pin, the arms to the landing gear are what pushes/pulls the FW, and what need to be stout enough to do that. You could probably modify the tug or simply pull the tug motor and transmission off it and fab something heavy enough to hold the weight of the pin and install the tug motor on that. Personally, I'd build something with much larger tires both for traction and for floatation if on grass or dirt.

Lyle

Thanks again for the response, Phil ... I've seen a few videos showing this setup move a 5er around, but I still kind of cringe, envisioning the tug walking out from under the kingpin, with just the vertical pipe, and then think that if it doesn't, it must be applying a lot of push force with the braces to the landing gear. Maybe it's just an over-active imagination on my part.
I envision using a tripod or 4 legged stand that spreads out the load and stabilizes the power tug, but apparently I'm over-analyzing the situation.

I'll look at the Power Caster a little closer.

re: wintersun - which brand unit did you go with?

I do have a spare aircraft tug (12v battery powered) in the hangar that I keep toying with re-purposing, but it's not built to carry any kind of weight load - simply a "push-me pull-you" affair.

With a search you need to know the right term and it took me quite a while to find "trailer tug" was the one I needed. I went with an AC powered unit as it provided better braking on a sloped area and did not want another battery to deal with in addition to the ones in the RV, cars, boat.

gkainz wrote:
Thanks for the photo, Phil. Where do you think the push force is applied with your rig? I've already envisioned the braces to the frame or jack legs for stability (to keep the power wheels from running out from under the kingpin) but still not sure how the power tug transmits movement to the kingpin without the tendency to walk out from under it?

The PC has a cup that accepts a 1/4" thick by 3" diameter round tube upright. This round tube is about 3' long and slips over the kingpin. This coupling is what moves the trailer, along with the two stabilizers from the fabbed round tube to the 5ver legs. It is a very slow movement which is great for maneuvering in tight places. If this isn't clear, let me know and I'll snap some detailed photos of the round tube and stabilizer legs that I constructed. I have used the PC to move three different 5vers over the last 15 years. I don't have to use it every time I park the 5ver but there are times when I need to move my 5ver, or for one reason or another, can't get it exactly where I want it in the yard using my truck.


Phil

Thanks for the photo, Phil. Where do you think the push force is applied with your rig? I've already envisioned the braces to the frame or jack legs for stability (to keep the power wheels from running out from under the kingpin) but still not sure how the power tug transmits movement to the kingpin without the tendency to walk out from under it?

Use the PowerCastor all the time. Great for tight places. You will have to fab some pieces for it to safely move your 5ver. It has a pigtail lead to connect to your trailer brakes (at the kingpin). I am very careful to have wheel chalks ready in case the motor stops, power is shutoff, etc. Common sense and load limits must be used.




Phil

I can move my 4200LBS OFF-ROAD POPUP pretty easy with my Sears LT1000 mower. It sure is alot easier to spot in my CAMP BACKYARD instead of hooking up to the truck...

Looks alot like this photo from google images...


In NORTH TEXAS at a local RV dealership they used a riding lawn mower on their RV LOT to spot all of their trailers around... 5th wheels and all..

Guess it can be done...

Roy Ken

I'm thinking I can buy and modify a pallet jack that could do the trick ... hmmmm