A car dolly can make your life easier whether you’re traveling by yourself or with a larger family. If you’re planning to purchase one, it can be very useful to build your dolly from scratch to save money and customize the size of the dolly for the exact needs you have in mind. This guide will walk you through seven different ways how to build a car dolly so that you can decide which way is best suited for your specific situation.
1) Materials Needed
How to build a car dolly? Materials needed for this project include plywood, 2x4s, bolts, nuts, and washers. You will also need paint, sandpaper, and primer.
Step 1) Cut out the shape of the dolly using plywood and 2x4s.
Step 2) Drill pilot holes in all the corners of the plywood base.
2) Tools Needed
How to build a tow dolly? You will need the following tools for this project. One 12-inch ruler, one pencil, one set of carpenter’s squares, one drill with a wood and metal bit, medium-grit sandpaper, and one power sander (optional).
The first step is marking the four corners of your dolly on the bottom of your box. Then put two dividers in each corner at equal distances apart.
Mark them with a pencil so they are easy to see. Now measure 1 inch from each side and draw two lines across where you want your axle to be on both sides of the box. Drill holes through the marks into the edge of your bottom board with a drill fitted with a metal bit.
3) The Process
The process of building a car dolly is not as complicated as you might think. You can use materials that are readily available from your local hardware store or online retailers.
- Gather all the supplies you need including a piece of 1×4 board, three 3/4 bolts, and three 3/2 washers.
- Cut the 1×4 board into two pieces that are 18 inches long and one piece that is 12 inches long.
- Drill a hole at each end of the 18-inch boards for the bolts to go through and attach them with the washers at each end.
4) Building the Base
The base is the most important part of the car dolly because it will be what you use to build everything else on. You can make your base out of any material that is sturdy enough, like plywood or heavy-duty cardboard.
We recommend using plywood because it is more durable and easier to work with. It is best if you can cut it into two pieces so that it can lay flat on the ground while you work on the rest of your project.
5) Adding the Axles
A car dolly is an indispensable tool for anyone who transports their vehicle on anything other than paved roads. The axles are the main part of the dolly and so is the most important thing to get right when building one. You’ll need two axles about 12 inches long, four wheels, and some way of connecting them all.
The first step is attaching the axles to the frame, which will depend on what you’re using as a frame. If you have an old bicycle or another small bike with no gears, you can just cut off one end of the frame and bolt it onto both ends of your axle with nuts and bolts. If you have an old bike with gears, it’s best if you remove them before bolting them onto your axle.
6) Adding the Wheels
While building a tow dolly, you’ll need some basic tools and materials. You’ll also need to find out what type of wheels will work for your vehicle. There are two common types of wheels, steel, and rubber.
7) Finishing Touches
A car dolly is an easy way to move cars around and transport them from one place to another. The best way to get started is by asking yourself, What do I need the car for? Moving? Transporting? Storage? If you’re looking for a moving vehicle, building a tow dolly may be the better option. You can then use this resource as your guide when starting construction on your new vehicle carrier.
Conclusion
How to build a car tow dolly? Building a car dolly may seem like an overwhelming task if you’ve never attempted something like this before, but it doesn’t have to be too bad if you know what you’re doing and how to get it done safely and effectively. If you decide to build your dolly, these seven ways how to build a car dolly will help you get started in the right direction so that you can confidently achieve your project goals and save money at the same time!
