Shop For Car Dollies With NAPA

Get Expert Tips On What Dolly You Need To Move Any Vehicle

If you’re the kind of mechanic who gets under the hood of dozens of cars, you already know the value of good tools. Sure, there are essential hand tools and power tools for your garage toolbox. But what about the perfect tool for some really heavy lifting—like a vehicle that won’t start? Park the tow truck and stow those tow straps because there’s a better way to move using car wheel dollies. 

Wheel dollies for cars can vary widely in style depending on the size of the vehicle you are moving and the amount you want to spend on a dolly. Whether you need to move a vehicle a few feet to make the most of your storage space, move a broken down or abandoned vehicle or simply get a vehicle un-stuck, let the experts at NAPA Auto Parts help you find the best car dollies for your garage so you can relocate that ride the fast and easy way!  

Choosing The Best Car Dolly

Vehicle wheel dollies or car dollies are also known as “car skates.” The nickname is fitting because that’s exactly how they work, and they use the same concept as a furniture dolly or a moving dolly. You can use these wheeled platforms in pairs or in sets of four—one on each wheel—to support the weight of a vehicle so you can easily maneuver it (sometimes by just one person)! 

Choosing the best car dolly all depends on a few factors:

• How often you’ll use it
• How much you want to spend
• How large the vehicles are that you want to lift or move

You should also bear in mind the kind of equipment to which you already have access. For example, while more advanced car dollies feature hydraulic functionality, basic models require a standard floor jack to lift the vehicle onto the dolly. You should also avoid storing vehicles on wheel dollies for extended periods of time, so make sure your garage is equipped with a reliable set of jack stands for long-term storage. 

A basic option like the Ranger RCD-1TD Wheel Dolly offers a no-nonsense approach. Each dolly is designed to withstand 1,000 pounds and features deep grooves so the vehicle’s wheels remain stable during transport. This set of Carlyle Tire Dollies offers a fully welded steel frame built to support 1,250 pounds, and the heavy-duty swivel casters are lockable for safety. No wheels on the vehicle—no problem! Use a jack along with this pair of OTC 1572 Car Dollies, which features padded saddles that can support up to 1,800 pounds and sit on the vehicle’s frame instead of the wheels.

How to Use a Hydraulic Wheel Dolly?

Hydraulic wheel dollies are very convenient pieces of equipment for any garage. There’s no need for risky maneuvers with long-handled floor jacks plus you can partially dissemble many models for easy storage. Additionally, because they are designed with adjustable slider bars, you can open and close the roller arms to accommodate many sizes of tires. 

Before you begin, double-check the weight of your vehicle and the size of your tires to make sure you’re using the right model of wheel dolly for the vehicle. This professional-grade Carlyle Hydraulic Wheel Dolly has a 1,500-pound weight rating and features 18 ½” aluminum roller arms that can adjust to accommodate wheels measuring 13”–24.” This beefy Ranger RCD-1500EX Wheel Dolly holds 19”–37” tires and can accommodate light-duty trucks and SUVs. 

When you’re ready to use your hydraulic wheel dollies, follow these steps:

1. With the vehicle parked, manually open the roller arms along the slider bar, then roll the dolly forward towards the vehicle, fitting the arms on either side of one front tire
2. Using your hand or foot, begin pumping the hydraulic pedal, so the roller arms close and raise the wheel
3. When you reach the desired height, lock the arms in place using the locking pin on the slide bar
4. Repeat for the other front wheels or on all four wheels

Nothing completes a set of lifting tools quite like a reliable set of car wheel dollies. Now you can relocate any vehicle without starting the engine or waiting on a tow truck. Shop NAPAonline.com for all our great deals on garage tools and equipment. NAPA Rewards Members get more! Enjoy early access and exclusive deals, as well as a $5 bonus when you join. Already a NAPA Rewards member? Complete your profile to unlock your $5 bonus today. 

Photo courtesy of pxhere.