Image Credit: Parkit360
I recently got my hands on a battery-powered dolly to help me maneuver my trailer in and out of my VERY tight garage space. Boy, has it been a game-changer!
Before I had an electric dolly, I manhandled the trailer in and out of the garage. It was not fun. There was another problem, too – a small lip at the front of the garage acted like a speed bump and made it extremely hard to push the trailer inside.
So, the solution was simple – get an electric dolly. I went with the Parkit360 Force 5K, and as you’ll learn below, it has more than met my trailer-moving needs. But there’s another kid on the block you might consider if you have a larger trailer – the Parkit360 Force 10K. What are the differences between the two? Let’s find out in this electric dolly buying guide!
Table of Contents
- Benefits of an Electric Dolly
- Electric Dolly Buying Guide: Parkit360 Force 5K
- Electric Dolly Buying Guide: Parkit360 Force 10K
- Don’t Need a Brute of a Dolly? Try the Parkit360 Scout 3K!
Benefits of an Electric Dolly
Image Credit: Parkit360
Needless to say, having an electric dolly offers numerous benefits…
On the one hand, electric dollies provide precise control, allowing you to easily maneuver trailers in tight spaces, such as narrow driveways or crowded storage areas. With features like forward and reverse switches, you can make fine adjustments that are difficult to achieve when trying to position a trailer with a tow vehicle.
On the other hand, an electric dolly negates the need to move your trailer on your own. Manually moving a trailer can be physically demanding, especially for heavy trailers or on uneven surfaces. An electric dolly takes on the heavy lifting, reducing the risk of injury and strain.
Additional Benefits of Electric Trailer Dollies
Image Credit: Parkit360
- Electric dollies offer more stable and controlled movement compared to pushing or pulling a trailer by hand or using a vehicle. This minimizes the risk of accidents, such as jackknifing or tipping the trailer.
- Many electric dollies are designed to handle different types of trailers, from small utility trailers to larger travel trailers, making them a versatile tool for various needs. Some models, like the Parkit360 Force 10K, come with interchangeable hitch balls and adjustable arms to accommodate different trailer sizes.
- Electric dollies are typically compact and easy to store, taking up much less space than a tow vehicle. The Parkit360 Force 5K, for example, can be stored in a corner of your garage or even inside your trailer, making it a convenient solution if you have limited storage space.
- Unlike using a vehicle to maneuver a trailer, which can be noisy and disruptive, electric dollies are generally quiet, making them ideal for residential areas or late-night adjustments.
- Modern electric dollies are equipped with powerful motors and batteries, allowing them to move trailers up inclines and over various terrain, including asphalt, gravel, and grass. This makes them reliable even in challenging conditions.
Of course, using an electric dolly can significantly reduce the time it takes to position your trailer, too. This allows you to spend more time enjoying your activities rather than struggling with setup!
PREVIEW PRODUCT RATING 13 Pcs Camp Kitchen Cooking Utensil Set Cookware Kit RoverTac Multitool Hatchet Camping Tool Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern, LED Lanterns LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness 163 Pieces First Aid Kit Waterproof Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler
Electric Dolly Buying Guide: Parkit360 Force 5K
Image Credit: Parkit360
The Parkit360 Force 5K is a robust and versatile electric trailer dolly designed to handle a wide range of trailers with ease. With a maximum capacity of 5,000 pounds GVWR and a tongue weight of 900 pounds, this dolly is more than capable of maneuvering everything from camping trailers to cargo and boat trailers.
One of the standout features of the Force 5K is its customizable hitch setup. It comes standard with a 20-inch ball mount adapter and includes two hitch balls (2″ and 2 5/16″), ensuring compatibility with a variety of trailer types. If you have unique needs, custom ball mount sizes are available upon request.
Image Credit: Parkit360
The Force 5K is powered by a U1 battery kit, which includes a 12V Interstate battery, mounting tray, strap, and a 6-inch power cable. The built-in battery charger ensures that your dolly is always ready to go, with intelligent charging that stops automatically once the battery is full. Plus, with an 80-inch battery cable, you have the flexibility to connect to your trailer’s battery or use a dolly-mounted battery for self-contained power.
When it comes to performance, the Force 5K is equipped with 6.5-inch-wide tires that provide excellent traction on various surfaces, including firm grass, packed gravel, and asphalt. The dolly can handle a maximum grade of 6 percent, making it a reliable choice for most terrain, be that a slightly graded driveway or a campsite that isn’t quite level.
Image Credit: Parkit360
Despite its impressive capabilities, the Force 5K is compact and portable, weighing approximately 90 pounds without the handle, ball mount, or battery. This makes it easy to disassemble and store, whether in the trunk of a small SUV or in a trailer storage compartment.
The dolly also features Intelligent Speed Control™ (ISC), allowing you to switch between high and low speeds for fast or precise parking. The custom 1.5 HP Bosch motor provides the power needed for smooth operation, while the freewheel knob lets you disengage the motor for manual movement. In other words, it couldn’t be easier to operate!
Image Credit: Parkit360
Additional features include a digital voltmeter to monitor battery levels, circuit breakers to protect the motor and Smart Brake from power surges, and a 7-way power plug that controls the trailer’s electric or surge brakes.
At the end of the day, the Force 5K’s thoughtful design ensures a seamless and safe trailering experience, whether you’re parking in a tight spot or moving your trailer across different terrain. And, all the while, it does so while protecting you from injury and working quietly, efficiently, and precisely.
Electric Dolly Buying Guide: Parkit360 Force 10K
Image Credit: Parkit360
If you have a larger trailer, the Parkit360 Force 10K electric trailer dolly is engineered to handle serious towing tasks with ease, boasting a maximum capacity of 10,000 pounds GVWR and a tongue weight capacity of 900 pounds.
Like the Force 5K, the Force 10K is designed for versatility. You get the same 20-inch ball mount adapter and two hitch balls (2″ and 2 5/16″) for working with varying trailers right out of the box. Again, custom ball mount sizes are available upon request.
Image Credit: Parkit360
Powering this dolly is a robust U1 battery kit, which comes with a 12V Interstate battery, a mounting tray, strap, and a 6-inch power cable. If you already have a battery, the dolly’s design allows you to mount any Group 24, 12-volt deep cycle or marine battery, providing self-contained power. The built-in battery charger ensures that your dolly is always charged and ready for action, too, automatically stopping when the battery is full.
The Force 10K is not just about power; like the Force 5K, it’s also about precision and control. With Intelligent Speed Control™ (ISC), you can switch between high and low speeds at any time. The 1.5 HP Bosch motor delivers consistent power, while the motor’s gradual start and stop function helps prevent sudden movements that could damage your trailer.
Image Credit: Parkit360
For ease of use, the Force 10K features a freewheel knob, which lets you disengage the motor to move the dolly manually without power. The digital voltmeter keeps you informed of your battery’s power level, and the circuit breakers offer protection against power surges, safeguarding both the motor and the Smart Brake system.
The Smart Brake system itself is a standout feature, using a 7-way power plug to control the trailer’s electric or surge brakes, ensuring a smooth and secure operation. The Force 10K features the same 6.5-inch-wide tires as the Force 5K, so you benefit from the same reliable traction on various surfaces and inclines up to 6 percent.
Image Credit: Parkit360
Despite its heavy-duty capabilities, the Force 10K remains compact and portable, weighing approximately 120 pounds with the battery. Like the Force 5K, it’s easy to disassemble and store in tight spaces, so you can keep it out of the way when not in use.
The Force 10K is truly a powerhouse, combining strength, versatility, and ease of use to make trailer maneuvering a breeze, whether you’re parking a boat trailer, a Jayco trailer with an Atwood hitch, or any other trailer type. With this dolly, you can move your trailer with confidence, knowing you have a reliable tool at your disposal.
So, essentially the biggest difference between the Force 10K and the Force 5K is the maximum weight rating. If you have a smaller trailer and don’t intend to get anything more than 5,000 pounds, the Force 5K is the way to go. But if you have a larger, heavier trailer or intend to invest in a bigger rig, opt for the Force 10K instead. Either way, you’ll get a powerful, easy-to-use trailer dolly!
Don’t Need a Brute of a Dolly? Try the Parkit360 Scout 3K!
Image Credit: Parkit360
Not everyone needs an electric dolly. If you fit into this category, you can reduce the strain on your body and the effort you have to put forth to move your trailer by getting a manual dolly like the Parkit360 Scout 3K.
The Parkit360 Scout trailer dolly is a compact solution for moving small trailers with ease. Despite being a manual dolly, it’s capable of maneuvering up to 3,000 pounds of gross weight and supporting a tongue weight of up to 300 pounds. In other words, this dolly is a versatile tool if you have a small camping trailer, cargo or utility trailer, and light boat trailer.
The Scout was designed with convenience in mind. It features a 20-inch ball mount adapter and two hitch balls (1 7/8” and 2”), making it compatible with almost any ball-mounted trailer. The innovative Ball-Mounted Stablelock Technology ensures a secure connection to your trailer, preventing unwanted movement and keeping the tongue weight centered on the axle for smooth operation. Nice!
The Scout is built for various terrain as well. It has a 10-inch diameter tire providing excellent traction on grass, packed gravel, and asphalt. It’s designed to handle slopes with a maximum grade of 3 percent, making it perfect for flat or slightly inclined surfaces.
Image Credit: Parkit360
Another benefit of the Scout is its weight. At just 28 pounds with the handle installed, the Scout dolly is incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver. With assembled dimensions of 12″ x 7” x 40″ and a receiver tube height of approximately 15 inches from the ground, the Scout dolly is compact yet highly functional.
Its compact design allows it to fit into the trunk of any small vehicle or be wall-mounted for convenient storage. The longer 40-inch handle is ergonomically designed to reduce strain on your muscles, legs, and back, too, allowing for optimal control and ease of use.
Image Credit: Parkit360
This dolly is constructed from high-quality, durable, powder-coated stainless steel. In fact, the Scout is proudly made in Canada (where the 5K and 10K are made), ensuring longevity and reliable performance. The dolly’s heavy-duty pneumatic tire requires a simple top-up of air pressure before use, providing safe and reliable parking for years to come. Its single-wheel design allows for precise steering, turning on a dime, and navigating tight spaces with ease as well.
The Parkit360 Scout trailer dolly is the perfect, cost-effective solution for anyone needing to move lighter trailers through tight spaces or into difficult-to-reach areas. With its robust design and thoughtful features, it offers an effortless and reliable way to maneuver your trailer, making your trailering experience smoother and more enjoyable.
A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we’re all about recommending stuff we’re truly stoked about!