GoJak vs Harbor Freight (US General) Car Dollies
If you’ve been around Garage Gear for a while, you know we don’t sugarcoat tools. If something works, we say it. If it doesn’t, we say that too—even when it’s cheaper.
In this post, I’m breaking down a real comparison between GoJak car dollies and Harbor Freight’s US General wheel dollies, based directly on a hands-on shop test that puts both under the same conditions.
No lab tests. No sponsored opinions. Just how these dollies actually perform when you’re trying to move a car by yourself.
Why This Comparison Matters
Wheel dollies look simple on paper. Four units, lift the car, roll it where you want—done.
But once you’re in a real shop:
- Slight slopes
- Tiny debris on the floor
- Casters not pointing the right way
- And no extra hands to help
That’s where cheap vs well-built starts to show fast.
What Is GoJak Car Dolly – Is It Wise to Buy?
GoJak car dollies are built with one clear goal: allow one person to move a car without fighting it.
From the moment you slide a GoJak under the tire, you notice the difference. The lifting process is simple, the locking mechanism makes sense, and the car comes off the ground without confusion or extra effort.
What really stands out is how the car behaves once it’s lifted. When you push, the wheels respond. They turn in the direction you want. The car follows instead of resisting.
Is it wise to buy?
If you often work alone, reposition cars frequently, or value smooth control over saving a few dollars, then yes-GoJak makes sense. You’re paying for ease, consistency, and less physical strain. You can also check the 10 Best Car Wheel Dollies.
What Is Harbor Freight US General Car Dolly – Is It Wise to Buy?
Harbor Freight’s US General dollies are popular because of one thing: price.
They do lift the car, and they do technically work. If you have help or only move vehicles once in a while, they can get the job done.
That said, they require more patience. The lifting system has multiple positions to remember, and the wheels don’t always want to cooperate under load. You’ll often need to stop, realign, and push harder than expected.
Is it wise to buy?
It depends. If budget is your top priority and you don’t mind using extra effort—or extra people—then they can work. But for solo garage owners, they can feel more frustrating than helpful.
Quick Overview: The Two Contenders
Harbor Freight US General Wheel Dollies
- Price: Up to $90 each
- Sold individually
- Common choice for budget buyers
- Design closely follows GoJak’s layout
GoJak Car Dollies
- Price: Up to $204 each
- Premium build
- Original design (not a copy)
- Designed for single-person operation
At first glance, they look similar. In use, they are not.
Build Quality & Caster Design
Harbor Freight (US General)
- Smaller metal casters
- Nylon center bushing (not true ball bearings)
- Casters resist rotating under load
- Struggle with even tiny floor debris
In fact, I previously took these completely apart, oiled and lubricated every caster trying to improve them. It helped—but not enough.
Upgrading the wheels alone would cost about $25 per caster, or $100 per dolly, which defeats the purpose of buying them cheap in the first place.
GoJak
- Larger diameter casters
- Nylon construction with far better rotation
- Rolls over debris noticeably easier
- Casters self-align with far less resistance
The difference shows immediately when you start pushing.
Ease of Use: Lifting & Releasing
Harbor Freight Dollies
- Multiple pin positions (A, B, C, D)
- Diagram required to remember lift mode
- Easy to forget how to release if you don’t use them often
- More steps, more moving parts
Even after owning them for years, it’s still easy to second-guess which pin goes where.
GoJak Dollies
- One simple latch
- Fewer pumps to lift
- Faster release
- No confusion, no diagrams
This alone makes a big difference in daily shop use.
Real Push Test Expriemnet (This Is Where It Matters)
Harbor Freight Results
- Requires significant effort to start moving
- Casters often refuse to rotate in the push direction
- Car resists movement even on a pristine shop floor
- Once moving, still requires constant force
Breathing level after pushing? 8 out of 10. That’s not normal for rolling a car.
Realistically:
- One person struggles
- Two people still work hard
- Three or four people? Maybe acceptable
GoJak Results
- Casters rotate almost instantly
- Car begins rolling with minimal effort
- Once moving, it keeps moving
- Easy to guide and position precisely
At one point, the car nearly rolled back on its own with barely any push.
This wasn’t subtle. Everyone in the shop noticed it immediately.
Storage & Organization
This is something most people don’t think about-until they own them.
Harbor Freight
- No clean storage solution
- Stacking them becomes a messy pile
- Takes up more space than expected
GoJak
- Optional storage rack (sold separately)
- Stores cleanly and vertically
- Huge win for small or busy shops
Yes, the rack costs extra-but it actually solves a real problem.
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Harbor Freight US General Dollies
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Will lift the car
- Works with multiple people
Cons
- High rolling resistance
- Casters fight rotation
- Complicated operation
- Poor choice for solo use
- Upgrades erase cost savings
GoJak Car Dollies
Pros
- Extremely easy to roll
- Designed for one-person operation
- Simple lift and release
- Excellent caster performance
- Professional-grade build
Cons
- Higher price
- Storage rack is optional
Comparison of GoJak vs Harbor Freight Car Dollies
| Feature | Harbor Freight US General Wheel Dolly | GoJak Wheel Dolly |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Approx.) | $90 for a set of 4 | $204 each (often sold in pairs) |
| Build Quality | Functional but feels cheap; metal wheels with a nylon center bushing. | Robust, premium feel; large-diameter nylon wheels with better bearings. |
| Ease of Use | Complex. Confusing pin-and-lever system to raise/lower and lock. | Simple. One-handed latch operation makes setup and release quick. |
| Rolling Performance | High rolling resistance. Casters are reluctant to swivel, making movement difficult. | Excellent. Wheels swivel freely and roll over debris easily. Minimal effort required. |
| Durability | Sufficient for very occasional, light use. | Built for frequent, shop-grade use. |
| Storage | Bulky and awkward to stack. No dedicated storage solution. | Optional storage rack ($75) keeps them organized and protected. |
| Best For | The extremely budget-conscious user who needs them rarely and has multiple helpers. | Anyone who needs to move cars solo, values efficiency, and uses tools frequently. |
Who Each Dolly Is Best For
Choose Harbor Freight if:
- Budget is extremely tight
- You always have help
- You only move cars occasionally
Choose GoJak if:
- You work alone
- You value efficiency
- You want stress-free positioning
- You run a serious home or professional shop
Watch the Video: Harbor Freight vs GoJak Car Dollies Test & Review
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If you’re working solo, even part of the time, the answer is simple:
GoJak wins.
Yes, they cost more-but they actually do what wheel dollies are supposed to do:
let one person move a car without fighting it.
The Harbor Freight US General dollies technically work, but:
- They require too much effort
- They slow you down
- And they become frustrating fast
Sometimes paying more once is cheaper than fighting cheap tools forever.
