Although you can get a practical car dolly from just about any mechanic, it’s not surprising if you’re thinking twice because of the cost. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have some of the most versatile towing equipments around and you don’t have to spend a thousand dollars on it? It would be, and you can do it in the comfort of your garage too. Homemade car dollies are not very common but with some basic knowledge of welding and steelwork, you can cut the cost and get a safe, durable car dolly.
- Work with a car dolly plan. You can easily buy them off eBay or other online stores for a nominal fee. If you search online, plans with specific measurements are also available. You should remember that not every vehicle is built in the same way as a dolly and so you should consult someone with expertise in this area before taking up a plan.
- Firstly, you need to assemble the axle. You can get it from any nearby salvage yard, and could cost around $50 if you remove it by yourself. One of the best options for a cheap but reliable axle is obtaining it from any models post-1990s of the Dodge Caravan, though you can explore other vehicles which have similar designs and a better offer. After having freed it from the vehicle by removing the nuts, ‘U’ bolts and shock bolts, not to mention the brake lines, you can remove the axle. You will then need to cut the axle into two at the midpoint of the leaf spring mounts, using a saw with a sharp blade. After that, a sprinkler pipe or Black pipe may be inserted into the axle, which should be sufficiently thick to provide support. Henceforth, weld the ends of the pipe to the axle parts.
- The second matter of importance is the cradle assembly. Use sturdy angle steel and put one piece of angle steel at a fixed distance from both sides of the cradle. Place two pieces of angle steel into the ‘boxes’ made. Align the cradle assembly with the axle so that the centre of the tire corresponds to the centre of the cradle. The cradle should then be tack welded into place.
- Depending on the dimensions of this incomplete car dolly, take a piece of box tubing and tack weld the piece underneath the centre of cradle, fitting against the axle. Weld securely any meeting points with cradle and axle. This is the tongue assembly, which is then bolted or welded with a trailer coupler consisting of overlapping pieces of steel welded together.
- Ramps are then prepared by attaching (using cartridge bolts) angle steel pieces to one end of each of the two identical planks.
- You will also need tie-down straps to hold the car. Fenders (may or may not be needed) and lights are required to complete the whole outlook of your car dolly. These items should come with complete user manuals.
Remember to take your car dolly on test-drive before you use it extensively. The vehicle on the move should be driven extremely slowly to see if the dolly can support the towed car. Also, consult a professional on the matter so that your dolly can be customized to your needs and you take all necessary safety precautions.