WTB - car dollies

Time for me to upgrade from the $7 HF wooden moving dollies...

I'm looking for something that someone has laying around not being used, or recommend something I will only have to buy once. I'd rather pay for good ones now than buy twice. Don't really think I want the kind that also lifts the car, I'm ok using a jack.

Have anything?

HF has Go-Jacks of different capacities.

HF has the metal equivalent of the movers' dollies (but actually designed to hold up a car) for $50 a pair.  Hold out for the sale/use a coupon and you're down to like $60 for four.  I've had a set for a while and they work well for what they are.

It seems they offer more than one type.

some have heavier casters and thicker metal for increased capacity.

Some self load and others have to raise the car to slip them into position.

Looks like 4 different models offered.

I have the cheapy metal caster HF ones and they work well for what they are/cost.  I would probably pop for a version with better bearings/casters next time around as the caster then to slide as often as they roll until they get aligned.  Not annoying enough to replace but just a thought.  Have considered just upgrading the casters/bearings but haven't been bother enough to take action.  

In general I use them for my rabbit in winter storage as they get me enough height be able to get under it easily without a jack.  They also let me easily push it out of the way or into the center of the garage for work.

I'd like to actively avoid anything from HF on this front, mostly for the reason that if I buy new, I don't ever want to have to replace whatever I buy now. 

If I get the $60 HF ones but have to replace every 5-10 years, then that just means I end up paying the same amount lifetime but have to also put up with using junky ones for my lifetime. 

If I buy GOOD ones now for $200 or less, and they can last a lifetime, then I feel like I'll be way ahead. If they truly are good ones, then used should also be fine for me. 

I'm trying really hard to apply this philosophy to any new tools I acquire, even though it is really hard to say no to HF prices. 

The difference between H-F and "good" is the marginal casters.  There's nothing inherently bad about the metal H-F versions other than the casters aren't the best. However, I found that if you take the casters apart and grease the axles a bit (they ship dry as a bone), they work better.  If that still isn't good enough, then shop for better casters, understanding you'll need 16 of them.

I managed to deform the H-F ones with der Scheißewagen.  It still kinda works (the dolly, not the Stupidmobile), but it's pretty bent-up.  These were the mid-grade ones that they have that are like a grey diamond-plate looking thing.  Before that, they were okay at best.  I found that before moving the car it worked best if you went around with a hammer and pointed each individual caster in the direction that you wanted to push.  This is on a very smooth, freshly swept concrete floor.

For time and money, you can get the 1/4" plate cut/bent and provide casters that will give you the load rating you need for your $200 budget, with room to spare.

I have a very old set that are made with 1/4" plate and a V-shaped bend in the middle for the tire to settle into. The caster wheels are functional but chewed up from rolling across sand and weld spatter on the floor. I also have a lightweight car on them, so that helps. Casters will be the upgrade, if I ever get around to it.