Grandby/dolly

[WjColdWater]

I finished my last trip last week fishing and camping. With winter conditions in the forecast it was time to store the camper. I built this dolly and would be my first time removing the camper. I took my time and followed standard procedures and was a easy job. My dolly design is a standard 2x6 frame with solid framing in the corners. 6” casters mounted with 3/8” carriage bolts with OSB sheathing. I added guide 2x4s to make centering the camper easy. Eye lags for attaching the stock turnbuckles secure the camper to the dolly. I can move the camper easily by myself in and out of our shop. I finished washing the exterior before placing on the dolly. Thanks to all the members comments on bug removal products.
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I really like this dolly design for stability and easy of movement. I will reinstall the camper next spring for more wandering.

 

[Rhust]

Looks great! Good job. I need to make one for mine.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Wayne, great job! I hope that last trip had fish as part of the story,

 

[PJorgen]

Looks great, I plan to build a similar one this winter. Where did you get the casters and what weight rating are they?

 

[WjColdWater]

Looks great, I plan to build a similar one this winter. Where did you get the casters and what weight rating are they?

Thanks! I purchased from Caster Connection on the web. CC STOUT-6S-TP3. They have solid cast iron with a semi hard outer covering. They are rated for 1200 lbs. plenty of wheel very high quality. I don’t remember the costs I’m thinking they were around $60 each. I think they are well worth the cost.

 

[dennis 221]

would love to see the design plan's, looks awesome

 

[WjColdWater]

My design is for a Grandby model. My build construction consists of the following:
- 2x6 framing
- 2x6 stacked corner backing
- 2x4 under deck backing for attaching truck cap fixture
- equally spaced joist
- 7/16” deck/2’ bottom sheathing at each end for structural integrity
- coated deck screws throughout
- 6” casters from Caster Connection ( 2 swivel 2 fixed )
- 3/8” carriage bolts with nylock nuts and washers
- 2x4 guide boards for easy alignment
- 1/2” lag eye bolts for turnbuckles

Basic framing drawing. I didn’t fabricate the tongue assembly. Found I didn’t need it to move the camper easily.
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Frame with corner and fixture backing.

I built these guide fixtures for drilling the 3/8” holes through the deck for wheel attachments. A long 3/8” paddle bit will travel straight and make a perfect pattern.

I screwed up and ordered four swivel casters. This was my fix to convert two back to stationary casters.
Overall it’s a solid easy to move dolly. I like the wider width (same width as the back of the camper). Don’t skimp on the caster quality you won’t be sorry.
Wayne

 

[dennis 221]

thanks