If a vehicle is refusing to start but needs to be moved, using a set of car dollies is the best method of moving it. They act as tire skates and once you have jacked each wheel onto a dolly, it’s far easier to move the car to where it needs to be. It’s also much safer than dragging a car with a floor jack too because it won’t slip.
After plenty of research, we found that the best car dollies are the Go-Jak® G6313, which can hold an impressive 1,574 LBS per dolly and are rated to hold vehicle curb weights up to 6,300 LBS. However, if you are on a tight budget, the Pentagon Tools 5060 set is by far the best option.
In terms of rating the car dollies within this article, we based our recommendations upon our own experience and multiple factors. The factors that were considered included their build quality, type, weight rating, tyre size compatibility, casters, storage, warranty and value for money.
Table of Contents
Car Dollies Comparison
| Wheel Dolly | Weight Per Tire | Type |
|---|---|---|
| GoJak® G6313 | 1,574 LBS | Standard with Ratchet |
| Pentagon Tools 5060 | 1,500 LBS | Standard |
| Sunex Tools 1500 | 1,500 LBS | Standard with Ratchet |
| Red Hound Auto | 1,500 LBS | Standard |
| Omega 47020 HD | 2,000 LBS | Standard |
| Merrick Machine | 1,500 LBS | Standard |
| OTC Tools Stinger | 1,500 LBS | Hydraulic |
| Capri Tools 21085 | 1,500 LBS | Hydraulic |
Car dollies are designed to be heavy duty and can withstand a huge amount of weight. You should avoid using furniture dollies that are often made of wood because they break easily, which could potentially damage the car.
There are two main types of car dollies, which include the standard design or the more expensive hydraulic alternative. The standard setup means you have to jack the car onto the dolly but with a hydraulic setup, it doubles up as a jack and is able to pump the wheel into the air.
Below is a list of the best car dollies that are built to the highest of standards and allow you to effortlessly move vehicles in any direction.
The Best Car Dollies
1. Go-Jak® G6313 Car Dollies
The GoJak® brand are premium manufacturers of car dollies and the G6313 model is there most rated set. It’s a professional grade example with an expensive price tag but when you consider the build quality and functionality, it’s clear to see the justification for its price.
These car dollies are made with the highest quality materials and are over engineered to make moving cars much easier. Features such as the casters being pre-lubricated and the 5 degree offset pedal for additional foot-to-tire clearance are examples of the great design.
Other features of the GoJak® G6313 include:
- Maximum weight capacity of 1,574 LBS each
- High strength steel rollers
- Double ball bearing nylon casters
- 2.5 inch galvanized steel rollers
- Suitable for tires up to 13 inches wide
- Design, tested and made in the USA
- Increased ground clearance
The GoJak® G6313 set are the perfect car dollies for those that have no set budget and simply want the best car dollies money can buy. They are also built to be long lasting and can even double up as a floor jack with the integrated safety locks too.
In terms of storing these car dollies, the brand also offer an additional rack, which is specifically designed for these dollies and are a great investment.
Check it Out2. Pentagon Tools 5060 Wheel Dolly Set
Compared to many of the cheaper alternatives, these car dollies are built to last and have been powder coated rather than painted. This prevents any chips or scratches appearing when used within the harsh garage environment.
Other features of the Pentagon Tools 5060 include:
- 3 inch ball bearing castors
- 6,000 LBS weight capacity using all 4 dollies
- Minor assembly required
- 12 x 16 inch dimensions
- Easy to store
- Color choice of black or red
- 360 degree movement
- Sold at a set of four tire skates
The integrated hole at the top of each dolly is an excellent design feature that allows for easy storage. Simply place each dolly through a secure hook in the garage and they will be securely held in place ready for use.
Overall, the Pentagon Tools 5060 wheel dolly set is a high quality yet affordable option that’s built to last and won’t disappoint. It’s important to note that minor assembly of these car dollies will be required but this only involves installing the ball bearing wheels.
Check it Out3. Sunex Tools 1500 Car Wheel Dolly
The Sunex car dollies are another premium set that uses a durable ratcheting design. The brand state that unlike other hydraulic mechanisms, this dolly is completely maintenance free and it even comes with a one year warranty for complete peace of mind.
A unique feature of these car dollies is the oversized L-shaped foot pedal. It’s purposely designed this way to prevent the user catching their toes on the wheel.
Other features of the Sunex Tools 1500 include:
- Durable ratcheting mechanism
- 1,500 LBS weight capacity
- Suitable for tire widths of up to 12.8 inches
- Carrying handle for portability
- Complies to ASME-PALD standards
- Safety locking casters
- Extra long aluminum rollers
- Includes a one year warranty
The main competitor to these Sunex dollies is the GoJack® alternatives but these are far more affordable. The mechanical configuration makes it a maintenance free set and they also come with a one year warranty for peace of mind.
Check it Out4. Red Hound Auto Tire Skates
Another affordable set of car dollies is by the reputable Red Hound Auto brand. They have a heavy duty construction where each car dolly uses 4 dual ball bearing swivel casters and two brakes to lock it in place.
In terms of the weight capacity, they are able to hold vehicles up to 1,500 LBS per axle and are ideal for shops, garages and showrooms.
Other features of the Red Hound Auto Tire Skates include:
- Available as a set of two or four dollies
- Radial ball bearings for smooth pushing
- Heavy duty powder coated finish
- Thick diamond plate construction
- Durable polycarbonate surface casters
- Optional dolly rack available
The Red Hound Auto tire skates offer excellent value for the money and are fairly stylish compared to other car dolly sets. Unlike similar priced alternatives, the ball bearings in the wheels make a huge difference and allow for easier movement.
Check it Out5. Omega 47020 Car Dolly Set
The Omega 47020 are clever car dollies that adjust in shape to allow them to hold vehicles by the wheels, pinch weld or frame. They are an intuitive set of dollies that would have taken many years or research and development to produce.
Another clever bit of design is the fact that they are self stacking. This makes storing them out of the way far easier than many of the alternatives.
Other notable features of the Omega 47020 include:
- 2,000 LBS weight capacity per wheel dolly
- Suitable for tires up to 13 1/2 inch
- Self stacking design
- Integrated frame adapters
- No tools required
- Locking casters
The Omega 47020 are the best heavy duty car dollies that are able to easily adjust to hold the vehicle’s weight in 3 different ways. However, they are on the expensive side for a standard car dolly but the additional weight capacity makes it worth the extra.
Check it Out6. Merrick Machine MERM998002 Auto Dolly
Other features of the Merrick Machine Auto Dollies include:
- 1,500 LBS weight capacity per auto dolly
- Sold as a set of four
- Suitable for all types of vehicles
- Large steel swivel casters
- Powder coated and not painted
- Simplistic design make it ideal for other applications
These are similarly priced to the Pentagon Tools alternative but they do lack some desirable features. For example, there is no easy method of storing these wheel dollies but apart from that, they are an excellent all-round set of dollies for moving cars.
Check it Out7. OTC Tools 1580 Stinger Car Dolly Set
The OTC Tools Stinger car dollies use a similar design to the Sunex alternative above and has the same 1,500 LBS weight capacity. However, they differ slightly in terms of the hydraulic mechanism and other critical components.
Other features of the OTC Tools Stinger include:
- 4 heavy-duty phenolic casters
- 1,500 LBS weight capacity
- Suitable for tires up to 12 inches wide
- Hydraulic mechanism
- Sold as an individual car dolly
The hydraulic car dolly by OTC Tools is a high quality option that comes with an expensive price tag. However, with that being said, they are suitable for tires up to 12 inches wide, which may be a requirement for many vehicles and it’s also much wider than many of the alternatives.
Check it Out8. Capri Tools 21085 Hydraulic Car Dolly
Other features of the Carpi Tools 21085 include:
- 1,500 LBS weight capacity per wheel dolly
- 4 inch heavy duty swivel casters
- 2 jacks included with the kit
- Suitable for tires up to 12 inches wide
- Available as both two or four piece options
- 1 year warranty
Although more expensive than standard dollies, the Capri Tools 21085-2PK are the best hydraulic car dollies. However, when compared with similar hydraulic options, they offer great value and are a worthwhile investment that you won’t regret.
Check it OutHow We Rated The Car Dollies
As we own plenty of classic cars, we often need to move them around the garage. Over the years, we have tried and tested a lot of car dollies and have a great experience with both budget and premium examples.
As you can see from the image below, our old budget set simply wasn’t as durable as it first seemed and eventually broke with the dolly bending into the casters.
In terms of rating the car dollies within this article, as well as our experience of owning multiple, we also considered a number of factors. These factors included their build quality, type, weight rating, tyre size compatibility, casters, storage, warranty and value for money.
Car Dollies Buying Guide
Car dollies (often referred to as tire skates) are useful tools when it comes to moving non-running cars in the garage. Over the years, they have improved with many intuitive features being included within the design. It’s advised that you avoid the cheap options because they are simply not durable enough for most vehicles.
Every car dolly we’ve recommended are designed to be heavy duty and easy to use. They travel on casters and the vehicle can be left on them for many months in some cases. Although they can be expensive, purchasing a high quality set will be longer lasting and is a worthwhile investment that you won’t regret.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding car dollies.
Hydraulic Car Dollies
Many people may not of heard of a hydraulic dolly and only know of the standard style. The benefit of using a hydraulic mechanism is that you don’t need to use a floor jack to get the wheel onto the dolly.
All that’s required is placing the dolly inline with the wheel, adjusting it to the wheel’s width and then pumping the wheel upwards until it’s off the floor.
They offer convenience and are easier to get the car on and off the dolly. The only drawback is that you must be willing to pay the premium price compared to the standard alternative.
Weight Capacity
Each of the recommended car dollies above have a weight capacity, which are all over 1,000 LBS. With the dollies combined, they will be able to hold the weight of each axle of a car with ease.
You should never overload a car dolly because the casters will be the first thing to break from the added pressure of the weight. Once these break, the dolly can become very hard to remove as it will be at an angle (speaking from experience).
Tire Dimensions
Another important factor other than the weight capacity is the width of your tires. Unless you have large all terrain tires or ultra-wide wheels, there shouldn’t be an issue. The majority have a maximum tire width of around 10 inches wide but if you have wider tires, be sure to choose a car dolly that’s suitable.
Casters and Brakes
One of the main design features of any car wheel dolly are the casters. These needs to be heavy duty in order to withstand the weight of the car and be able to freely move.
Ball bearing mounted casters are the best option as they allow you to push the car dolly in a variety of directions. Some brands such as GoJak® lubricate the casters from the factory but if your car dollies aren’t, be sure to lube them accordingly.
Brakes on car dollies are another desirable feature that allow you to lock them in place if you plan on leaving your vehicle on the dolly. They are only found on premium examples but they are a useful feature that’s worth paying the extra for.
Storage Solutions
When not in use, car dollies can be fairly difficult to store. However, some come with an intuitive self stacking design or clever features for easier storage.
Alternatively, you may opt for an additional dolly rack, which you can safely store the dollies onto when not in use. GoJak® offer an excellent rack that’s specifically designed for their dollies. However, if you are confident with your DIY skills, you could build a rack yourself to save money.
How Many?
The obvious answer would be to have a set of 4 wheel dollies but you may be on a tight budget. Therefore, you could get away with just using 2 dollies that are placed on the front or rear axle.
This way you can jack the car up on the other axle with a floor jack and pull the car. Of course, this isn’t the easiest of options but it still allows you to move a car that refuses to start.
Build Quality
It may be tempting to opt for a cheaper wheel dolly but the build quality could be questionable. Before upgrading to the GoJak® car dollies, our previous set began to bend under long term storage of a car and eventually became unusable.
Wheel Dolly vs Jack Stands
Storing your car for long periods is fairly common if you own a small collection of vehicles or only use the vehicle in the summer. Using car dollies over jack stands is recommended as you still have the choice of moving them fairly easily.
If you choose to use jack stands, you will need to use a floor jack to lift the car off the stands in order to move them around your garage. Whereas with some car dollies, they double up as a jack because they can lift the car off the ground.
Conclusion
Car dollies are the best way of moving any non-running vehicle. Using floor jacks as a method of moving a car is very dangerous and can cause damage to the vehicle. For example, if it were to slip, it could get caught on the side skirts or drag across the paintwork.
Deciding between a hydraulic or standard dolly is dependent upon your budget but they both function in the same way. However, the hydraulic dolly does offer convenience and is much quicker to setup. The only main drawback is that it can leave your pockets feeling empty.
All of our recommended car dollies within this article are heavy duty and will easily move non-running cars. The amount you spend on a car wheel dolly is up to you but even the cheapest can make a huge difference.
