A traction device for lifting and towing a trailer or the like comprises a frame, a pair of wheels mounted on the frame and a ball-shaped coupling member mounted on the frame. The ball-shaped coupling member is adapted to engage and disengage complementary socket coupling means carried by a trailer. A manually engageable handle is mounted on and extends rearwardly from the frame. The handle is adapted to move the frame about the axle of the wheels to move the coupling ball from a first lowered position in which the ball-shaped coupling means may engage a trailer coupling means and a second position disposed above the axis of rotation of the axle for guidably supporting the trailer. The ball-shaped coupling means projects outwardly from the frame and handle means in a radial direction with respect to the axle a distance sufficient to provide a substantial clearance between the frame, handle means and coupling means which is to be engaged so as to permit the ball coupling to be located in the first lowered position with the frame and handle means spaced from the coupling means of a trailer. A major portion of the manually engageable handle means has an axis which extends substantially less than 90* relative to the axis passing through the axle and through the centre of the ball coupling whereby the handle may be located in a lowered locked position with the ball coupling located at the opposite side of the axle.