I am in the process of building one to move small camper trailers around a pole barn. I have all concrete and don't have to deal with the grass problem like you have. I like your videos and the changes you show when adjustments to the build are made. Thank You Very Much!
You probably noticed that when your power dolly is pulling the trailer, you have more traction than pushing it. Here is what is going on. Because your towball is so much higher then the horizontal centerline of your drive axle/wheels, it has the tendency to push the castor wheel in the ground (more resistance) and lifting the drive wheels in air. The solution would be, kind of a system like, reverse or upside down distribution/equalizer bars.
Nice build. Couple of suggestions for improvement. Mount a tractor seat facing forward and then mount a steering wheel straight up between your legs. Get rid of the swivel tire and mount a turn tire solid to the steering rod. That will give you more weight over the drive axle and allow you to back it up like you were using a truck. You can also mount your controls on your steering wheel or convert to foot controls. If you still have traction issues, the wider and taller of tire equals more ground contact thus more traction. 👍
I just commented on the original video, but I guess I'll repeat. the tow hitch needs to be at the centre of gravity. That's why it keep lifting the loose wheel. Also directional changes are hard because the winch motor will be locked under no power. If it were me (but with your money!), I'd have 2 motors powering the driven wheel independently. That way you can steer with one in reverse, one forward and it should spin around nicely. Also for off road, perhaps a tracked system instead of tyres.
put duals on it it will be the quickest way to increase traction. You can do all of the suggested experiments but that would be the quickest way. All tyou'd have to do is your hub method with a piece of pipe in the middle
Try making the towball high so there is more wight on the mover and front wheels are off the ground also try a bigger gear on the wheel drive plus if you have two motors one for each side and wire them up on two switches you could use them to trun
Hey instead of pushing buttons for forward and reverse get either a twist or thumb throttle.... I need to make something to handle a 10,500lb trailer with a 2100lb tounge weight.... As for traction the ball mount needs to be center of the total dolly .
I need a very heavy duty dolly and I'm thinking if it is possible to use 4 RTV wide tires, mounted with 4 individual motors for all wheel drive. The 2 tires on front are mounted on a swivel guide, just like the old carry red metal carts we all had back in the old days as kids, those that we moved dirt or even went down the hill with a friend... lol.
Next time on version 2 by a used edge 2.0 power chair, w/ two motors running two sides with 1 joy stick type controllor on the handle make the final drive to both. Live axles with next size wider NON flat tires the controllor has 1thru 5 speed for power or speed thru joy stick forward AND backwards the same, when letting off the joy stick it locks both wheels so it don't roll! I am a disabled vet i have one of those and it is fast slow, powerful or easy all in one push off push on switch left, right, forwad, backwards ,quiet, i thimk with the drive on each side ratio change via sprocket reduction would be enough, a short linear acuator for the ball hight would make hooking the ball easy and fast! Kewl job though on version ome!
realize it is 2 year now.... but I have a thought about your traction.... get (2) 3" wheels.... attach them to a small swing arm that can pivot.... then have them inline with each drive wheel. take a bicycle tire and lap it over the drive tire and the small 3" wheel..... now pivot the swing arm down.... you have a track!!! then pivot it up.... and you still have a 2 wheel drive that can freewheel just like it does now!
@@barefootgaragejax9252 I had problems with traction on a electric wheelchair..... so I did what I said above.... and no more traction issues at all.... if you can get the right size tire that will slip over the drive wheel and the small wheel without cutting it it works perfectly.... but even if you have to cut the tire use a piano hinge.. I used a linear actuator to raise and lower the swing arm... I also put a shock on the swing arm wheel since it was on a wheel chair to make the ride super smooth.... I am helping a friend build a trailer dolly and sent him your video... I told him to use a winch and so..... then I said I bet people have done this before and looked on you tube where I found your video.... I told him to use a bottle jack and weld the ball on it... that way if the ground is uneven you can adjust the height on the go! I used a bike tire since the tires on the wheel chair were 1 to 2".....but you may need a atv / golf cart tire due to the width.. but it is still the same concept. Aires came up with a snowblower that uses a similar idea.... called quick trac or something along that.... but it will give you an idea of what I mean.... I just looked it up.... it is called... Rapid trak... check it out! th-cam.com/video/E7pjKGSFFXs/w-d-xo.html ...... BTW... the higher you can raise the pivot the easier it is to freewheel... you can see the contact surface of the drive tire... the smaller that contact the easier it is to freewheel.... the aires only lifts it a inch or so and leaves to much contact area but still works... if it raised 4 to 6" it is almost the same contact area you have now!
Just a thought for consideration on traction. Depending on the spring setup on the trailer, I am wondering whether airing down the tires on the front axle would shift more weight to the tongue and let them slip sideways easier when turning the trailer?
You didn’t address building more of these! I like the video and the idea but really it’s inspired me to buy one of those you can move around with a cordless drill lol
There’s one in the market that uses the 60v dewalt concrete mixer, and it’s sweet! You need a ton of gear reduction for that, which is a bit out of my depth!
How would setting up dual wheels plus making the hitch higher putting more weight on the back wheels of your trailer there for transferring more weight to your mover
Dual wheels would be a huge help, but you want to keep it as low as you can reasonably. I actually too 2-3” out of the height, because it tried to run “under” the trailer instead of drag it.
Maybe you know about LiFePO4 batteries already but if not, they are really impressive. Whereas lead-acid you only really get about 1/2 to 1/3 of the AH capacity out before the voltage is too low, the LiFePO4 batteries can do a true full capacity discharge, are good for about 10 years life and 2000+ cycles. They have a low internal resistance too. You get more performance from a 30AH LiFePO4 battery than a 60AH car battery and the LiFePO4 battery only weighs about 8 lbs and is much smaller.
Do you know the tongue weight of you trailer? Are you satisfied with the speed? If your winch is about the same rpm as mine I figure your dolly moves about 29 feet per minute. I am going to build one of these for my 16 ft boat/trailer. Tongue weight on mine is 250 lbs with total weight somewhere around 2,500 lbs. For traction I am going to increase the tire size to 13 inch hoping to get more tire on the ground. If need be I will switch to a better 13 inch utility tire with more of a flat surface on the ground than the Harbor Freight tires/wheels I am going to start with.
I believe my trailer weighs 1000-1200 pounds and the tongue weight is at least 200 pounds. I can lift it, but just for short bursts on pavement. It works for my needs, as it’s not far to go and traction over grass is more important than speed. If you step up the tire size, you may want to change your sprocket size or run two reductions to keep the speed low / torque high. I’m totally happy with the winch, plenty of power and very reliable. I think if I build V2, I may try to use a go kart axle and hubs, as that was the trickiest part to make. Good luck!
Thanks - good video - initial video - music was too loud - I cranked up the volume to hear you and you blasted me with music …just saying not here for the music -you could lose it - no crying here if you do... But it was a good video and I am not here to just crit - I know how difficult it is on the other side of the camera. Well done and thanks.
I am in the process of building one to move small camper trailers around a pole barn. I have all concrete and don't have to deal with the grass problem like you have. I like your videos and the changes you show when adjustments to the build are made. Thank You Very Much!
Good luck! Make the mover as heavy and low as is feasible
You probably noticed that when your power dolly is pulling the trailer, you have more traction than pushing it. Here is what is going on. Because your towball is so much higher then the horizontal centerline of your drive axle/wheels, it has the tendency to push the castor wheel in the ground (more resistance) and lifting the drive wheels in air. The solution would be, kind of a system like, reverse or upside down distribution/equalizer bars.
Agree! It needs a second connection point to avoid the rotation. I was able to use some straps to prevent 1 direction, but it needs to go both ways.
Nice build. Couple of suggestions for improvement. Mount a tractor seat facing forward and then mount a steering wheel straight up between your legs. Get rid of the swivel tire and mount a turn tire solid to the steering rod. That will give you more weight over the drive axle and allow you to back it up like you were using a truck. You can also mount your controls on your steering wheel or convert to foot controls.
If you still have traction issues, the wider and taller of tire equals more ground contact thus more traction.
👍
Then I can take it out for joyrides too! Great ideas!
I just commented on the original video, but I guess I'll repeat. the tow hitch needs to be at the centre of gravity. That's why it keep lifting the loose wheel. Also directional changes are hard because the winch motor will be locked under no power. If it were me (but with your money!), I'd have 2 motors powering the driven wheel independently. That way you can steer with one in reverse, one forward and it should spin around nicely. Also for off road, perhaps a tracked system instead of tyres.
Two motors would certainly be an upgrade!
A other me? you must have trouble sleeping too..... thinking of prototypes! great job!
put duals on it it will be the quickest way to increase traction. You can do all of the suggested experiments but that would be the quickest way. All tyou'd have to do is your hub method with a piece of pipe in the middle
Try making the towball high so there is more wight on the mover and front wheels are off the ground also try a bigger gear on the wheel drive plus if you have two motors one for each side and wire them up on two switches you could use them to trun
If it make a version 3.0 it will be dual motor
Hey instead of pushing buttons for forward and reverse get either a twist or thumb throttle.... I need to make something to handle a 10,500lb trailer with a 2100lb tounge weight....
As for traction the ball mount needs to be center of the total dolly .
Great idea!
I need a very heavy duty dolly and I'm thinking if it is possible to use 4 RTV wide tires, mounted with 4 individual motors for all wheel drive. The 2 tires on front are mounted on a swivel guide, just like the old carry red metal carts we all had back in the old days as kids, those that we moved dirt or even went down the hill with a friend... lol.
Sounds awesome- please share!
Next time on version 2 by a used edge 2.0 power chair, w/ two motors running two sides with 1 joy stick type controllor on the handle make the final drive to both. Live axles with next size wider NON flat tires the controllor has 1thru 5 speed for power or speed thru joy stick forward AND backwards the same, when letting off the joy stick it locks both wheels so it don't roll! I am a disabled vet i have one of those and it is fast slow, powerful or easy all in one push off push on switch left, right, forwad, backwards ,quiet, i thimk with the drive on each side ratio change via sprocket reduction would be enough, a short linear acuator for the ball hight would make hooking the ball easy and fast! Kewl job though on version ome!
Great idea!
realize it is 2 year now.... but I have a thought about your traction.... get (2) 3" wheels.... attach them to a small swing arm that can pivot.... then have them inline with each drive wheel. take a bicycle tire and lap it over the drive tire and the small 3" wheel..... now pivot the swing arm down.... you have a track!!! then pivot it up.... and you still have a 2 wheel drive that can freewheel just like it does now!
Traction was my main issue! This idea is killer!
@@barefootgaragejax9252 I had problems with traction on a electric wheelchair..... so I did what I said above.... and no more traction issues at all.... if you can get the right size tire that will slip over the drive wheel and the small wheel without cutting it it works perfectly.... but even if you have to cut the tire use a piano hinge.. I used a linear actuator to raise and lower the swing arm... I also put a shock on the swing arm wheel since it was on a wheel chair to make the ride super smooth.... I am helping a friend build a trailer dolly and sent him your video... I told him to use a winch and so..... then I said I bet people have done this before and looked on you tube where I found your video.... I told him to use a bottle jack and weld the ball on it... that way if the ground is uneven you can adjust the height on the go! I used a bike tire since the tires on the wheel chair were 1 to 2".....but you may need a atv / golf cart tire due to the width.. but it is still the same concept. Aires came up with a snowblower that uses a similar idea.... called quick trac or something along that.... but it will give you an idea of what I mean.... I just looked it up.... it is called... Rapid trak... check it out! th-cam.com/video/E7pjKGSFFXs/w-d-xo.html ...... BTW... the higher you can raise the pivot the easier it is to freewheel... you can see the contact surface of the drive tire... the smaller that contact the easier it is to freewheel.... the aires only lifts it a inch or so and leaves to much contact area but still works... if it raised 4 to 6" it is almost the same contact area you have now!
Just a thought for consideration on traction. Depending on the spring setup on the trailer, I am wondering whether airing down the tires on the front axle would shift more weight to the tongue and let them slip sideways easier when turning the trailer?
Good idea! I’m sure it depends on the surface. Less psi on grass certainly would make more drag. I think the mover weight needs to increase ideally!
BTW.....I use to work on the cars you have.....when they were new!
Nice!
You didn’t address building more of these! I like the video and the idea but really it’s inspired me to buy one of those you can move around with a cordless drill lol
There’s one in the market that uses the 60v dewalt concrete mixer, and it’s sweet! You need a ton of gear reduction for that, which is a bit out of my depth!
How would setting up dual wheels plus making the hitch higher putting more weight on the back wheels of your trailer there for transferring more weight to your mover
Dual wheels would be a huge help, but you want to keep it as low as you can reasonably. I actually too 2-3” out of the height, because it tried to run “under” the trailer instead of drag it.
@@barefootgaragejax9252 in the process of making one myself using the knowledge I have seen and used them to move augers
Maybe you know about LiFePO4 batteries already but if not, they are really impressive. Whereas lead-acid you only really get about 1/2 to 1/3 of the AH capacity out before the voltage is too low, the LiFePO4 batteries can do a true full capacity discharge, are good for about 10 years life and 2000+ cycles. They have a low internal resistance too. You get more performance from a 30AH LiFePO4 battery than a 60AH car battery and the LiFePO4 battery only weighs about 8 lbs and is much smaller.
I’d love a lipo battery! For this application, the weight of the lead acid is actually an advantage :)
I tried the web sites, all worked.
Thanks!
When reversing the trailer I think I saw you pushing down on the handle. Surely pulling up would increase the traction ?
That’s correct. Push down when moving forward and lift when reversing. Sometimes you have to lift it for the caster wheel to swivel around.
Do you know the tongue weight of you trailer? Are you satisfied with the speed? If your winch is about the same rpm as mine I figure your dolly moves about 29 feet per minute. I am going to build one of these for my 16 ft boat/trailer. Tongue weight on mine is 250 lbs with total weight somewhere around 2,500 lbs. For traction I am going to increase the tire size to 13 inch hoping to get more tire on the ground. If need be I will switch to a better 13 inch utility tire with more of a flat surface on the ground than the Harbor Freight tires/wheels I am going to start with.
I believe my trailer weighs 1000-1200 pounds and the tongue weight is at least 200 pounds. I can lift it, but just for short bursts on pavement. It works for my needs, as it’s not far to go and traction over grass is more important than speed. If you step up the tire size, you may want to change your sprocket size or run two reductions to keep the speed low / torque high. I’m totally happy with the winch, plenty of power and very reliable. I think if I build V2, I may try to use a go kart axle and hubs, as that was the trickiest part to make. Good luck!
my 6 bolt locks were great, until my truck got stolen and now i need to keep a key just for the locks... lol, not exactly convenient anymore.
Bummer!
How much does your trailer weigh?
1200 maybe, not a ton
all the links are broken or cancelled in the description
Sorry! TH-cam must let them expire
Most of the links no longer work
Sorry! They must expire after a certain time
how many teeth are on each cog ?
16T drive and 32T on axle. So a 2:1 reduction. It could use a bit more
30T on axle
Thanks - good video - initial video - music was too loud - I cranked up the volume to hear you and you blasted me with music …just saying not here for the music -you could lose it - no crying here if you do... But it was a good video and I am not here to just crit - I know how difficult it is on the other side of the camera. Well done and thanks.