Built 8x8' Floating Dock in Barn - Now Need to Transport It to Site!

[BoylermanCT]

I did the same thing, built my dock in the garage where it would be level and easy to work on. I moved my 8x8 dock, 4x12 and 4x16 docks with forks supporting one end and a heavy duty 3" tow straps supporting the far end. If you don't have access to forks, mount large eye bolts into the sides of the dock and use straps with hooks to pick it up with your FEL. Here is my completed dock. Hope you enjoy yours!

 

[dougtrr2]

It looks pretty stout, but I would add some diagonal bracing for the move. I would be afraid that one wrong move could rack it and tear up the corner joints. A few diagonal brace would be cheap insurance.

Doug in SW IA

 

[check]

Well before you do anything you need to brace those corners better. Maybe I just can't see it, but shouldn't you be putting some carriage bolts through the side boards and through that 4 x 4 inside corner piece? I have built several dogs and I always put one of those metal corner braces on the inside of each corner.

Also is that just rope that I see holding the four blue barrels? What are you going to do when the ropes start to stretch?

 

[LMychajluk]

Why not get some cheap castors from Harbor Freight, screw them to the corners on the top of the platform, flip the thing over and and roll it instead of trying to carry it? (The mounting plate for the castor can also help reinforce the corner joints.) When you get to that last section with the steep hill, tie a rope or strap around it and use the truck or tractor to control the weight of it while easing it down the hill while someone guides it. At the water, remove the castors, fill the screw holes with putty (opt.), cover the holes with the decking, and be done with it.

1 in. Pneumatic Heavy Duty Caster

 

[Egon]

A couple of logs under and skid it.

Sturdy young lad to lift and place on the truck box sides.

Your carryall.

Using the front bucket and some ropes.

 

[MossRoad]

I have built several dogs ........

That's how Frankenstein started out...



Don't you love auto correct? :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

Why not get some cheap castors from Harbor Freight, screw them to the corners on the top of the platform, flip the thing over and and roll it instead of trying to carry it? (The mounting plate for the castor can also help reinforce the corner joints.) When you get to that last section with the steep hill, tie a rope or strap around it and use the truck or tractor to control the weight of it while easing it down the hill while someone guides it. At the water, remove the castors, fill the screw holes with putty (opt.), cover the holes with the decking, and be done with it.

1 in. Pneumatic Heavy Duty Caster

That, or a couple 20" bike tires on a temporary rod run through it right about the middle brace, after its tipped up. Just block one end up off the ground about 4" and mount the axle so the wheels are touching the ground. Then you can tip it back up onto the wheels to roll it around with about 2" of ground clearance on either end. Tip it down on an end to rest.

 

[sailfast]

Are those barrels full of foam?
You will want to fill them with foam.

 

[Xfaxman]

I have built several dogs ............

That's how Frankenstein started out...



Don't you love auto correct? :laughing:

 

[s219]

Bolt some wheels onto the dock and tow it (carefully). You can buy inflatable wheel/tire combos a TSC or HF for $10-15