Clever trailer invention

jmc · Jul 6, 2016

Sorry if this is old news but it's a "Trailer Valet" to hand move a trailer for short distances, like around in the barn:

Trailer Valet - Trailer Dolly - YouTube

($580 at eTrailer)

Sawyer Rob · Jul 6, 2016

IF I had to back up and pull forward as many times as they were showing in that vid, I'd want one too!

BUT I don't... I can do better than THAT, with a 4 wheel wagon!

SR

Clint S · Jul 6, 2016

For the price I will get out and check. If I bought something it would be this.......
Amazon.com: Remote Controlled Trailer Mover Rated 33lbs. And Down Press. 65lbs.,track Mounted Weighs 38lbs.: Home Improvement

two_bit_score · Jul 6, 2016

Clint S said:
For the price I will get out and check. If I bought something it would be this.......
Amazon.com: Remote Controlled Trailer Mover Rated 33lbs. And Down Press. 65lbs.,track Mounted Weighs 38lbs.: Home Improvement

$2395 vs $580 ???? How much checking does it take?????

TBS

4570Man · Jul 6, 2016

At that price no thanks. With a backup camera I can get it the first try. In my truck that doesn't have a backup camera it takes me less than a minute to hook up a trailer.

George2615 · Jul 6, 2016

4570Man said:
At that price no thanks. With a backup camera I can get it the first try. In my truck that doesn't have a backup camera it takes me less than a minute to hook up a trailer.

View attachment 473857

I agree. My previous truck had no B/U camera so I bought a $50 camera and monitor that was posted on this site and installed it. Current truck came with B/U camera. First try to hook up trailer for me too. Besides, nothing posted here would handle the tongue weight of my trailers.

newbury · Jul 6, 2016

I kept looking for the "truck" they were going to hook up to

With a 500lb limit it doesn't do much.

4570Man · Jul 6, 2016

newbury said:
I kept looking for the "truck" they were going to hook up to With a 500lb limit it doesn't do much.

Even my lawn mower trailer with the mower loaded would go over that. They had it pictured with a boat, but I'm guessing most boats are over 500 tongue weight.

Oldpath05 · Jul 6, 2016

I agree>Clever trailer invention, but at almost $600.00, ouch. As previously stated, trailer camera is more cost effective and they work darn good. I tried one of those cheap back cameras few year ago, it was quick to set up and small enough to be stowed in the clove-box.

PILOON · Jul 6, 2016

I drive an SUV type vehicle.
I simply open the rear hatch and drop the back seats so that I get perfect alignment and distance every time.

sklunk · Jul 7, 2016

The $580 is for the heavy-duty version. If you have a lighter trailer they also make a smaller version that only runs around $300:
Trailer Valet 5X Swivel Jack and Trailer Mover - Topwind - 15" Lift - 5 lbs Trailer Valet Trailer Jack STC-V211

There are also a bunch of other manufacturers out there. Just do a search for "powered trailer mover" or "powered trailer dolly" and you'll find a lot of options (electric, gas, battery). Prices are all over the place!

If you are more DIY there are also various plans out there to build your own.

Ford850 · Jul 7, 2016

Well, I agree it isn't really needed to back up to a trailer especially if you have a camera. But I do like this idea to move a trailer into and out of odd parking areas. Some other videos of it give good examples of using it to park in tight corners, at 90* angles, etc. Not for everyone, but if you want to tuck a trailer or boat into a odd angle or tight parking spot, this would be nice.

jmc · Jul 7, 2016

OP here. What I liked about it was being able to move around the two trailers in my barn so I can get to other stuff. Not much room in there to maneuver a pull vehicle. And every time I shuffle implements, I think of this:

two_bit_score · Jul 7, 2016

jmc said:
OP here. What I liked about it was being able to move around the two trailers in my barn so I can get to other stuff. Not much room in there to maneuver a pull vehicle. And every time I shuffle implements, I think of this:

Good analogy. The trailer dolly has it's uses no doubt. I'm wondering how it does on unpaved dirt as opposed to that paved driveway in the video.

TBS

bcp · Jul 7, 2016

jmc said:
OP here. What I liked about it was being able to move around the two trailers in my barn so I can get to other stuff. Not much room in there to maneuver a pull vehicle. And every time I shuffle implements, I think of this:

You're lucky you have that much empty space.

My garage puzzle has 16 number tiles.

Bruce

Oldpath05 · Jul 7, 2016

$340.00 is better but from what I see, it's only good on hard surfaces, sometimes my trailers are out side on not so hard ground and always uneven ground. And the cranking, all that cranking might make me cranky, I'd give that job to the Co-pilot after she gets my super.

farm boy00 · Jul 7, 2016

Oldpath05 said:
$340.00 is better but from what I see, it's only good on hard surfaces, sometimes my trailers are out side on not so hard ground and always uneven ground. And the cranking, all that cranking might make me cranky, I'd give that job to the Co-pilot after she gets my super.

Better hope she don't see that

roadhunter · Jul 7, 2016

Interesting piece of equipment. I can certainly see some applications where it would work. Tucking a boat in the garage would be a piece of cake.

I know I've certainly had to get in and out of the truck more times than I wanted to hooking up a trailer.

newbury · Jul 8, 2016

For moving my 12K rated equipment trailer UNLOADED (weight 2,000 lbs plus) around ON LEVEL ASPHALT AND CONCRETE SURFACES I've used the HF $60 mover. I have not tried it with any load on the trailer or "long" moves.
Be sure to pump up the tires and grease the axle