Backing a trailer into a tight shop corner, side yard or storage lot with a truck is often more trouble than it is worth. A trailer dolly, also called a tongue dolly or trailer mover, lets one person push and steer a trailer by hand.
Types of trailer dollies
- Manual caster or wheel dollies clamp or sit under the coupler and have a rating in pounds of tongue weight.
- Electric trailer movers use a motor and a remote or handle to move heavier trailers with little effort.
- Jack-mounted wheels bolt to the tongue jack for permanent use on one trailer.
Size it by tongue weight, not trailer weight
A dolly only carries the tongue weight, usually 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer. A 3,000 pound utility trailer may put 300 to 450 pounds on the coupler. Our tongue weight guide shows how to estimate it. Always choose a dolly rated well above that number.
Safety tips for moving by hand
- Chock the wheels and make sure the coupler is fully released before lifting. See our chocking and parking guide.
- Move slowly on level ground. Gravel, slopes and wet grass make a loaded tongue hard to control.
- Keep the trailer empty or lightly loaded when moving by hand.
- Check the tongue jack is in good shape, because it often does the lifting.
Which trailers are good dolly candidates?
Small utility trailers and light enclosed cargo trailers work well. Heavy dump trailers and gooseneck units usually need an electric mover or a truck, so check the numbers first.
Talk to Trailer Place
Trailer Place is a family-owned dealer in Wharton, TX (moving to Rosenberg mid-2026) serving Texas and Louisiana, with in-house STAR builds, financing and nationwide shipping. Call (979) 532-1486 and we will help you pick the right trailer and accessories.
