Updated on October 15, 2024
Moving dolly, appliance dolly, hand dolly, utility dolly - whatever you choose to call it, this invaluable piece of moving equipment will be your best friend during a move. A moving dolly is indispensable when it comes to transporting heavy and larger items like furniture, appliances, and large boxes between your home and the moving container. The pros use these same moving implements to safely and securely move stuff, making it an indispensable tool for your move.
There are many different types, though, so knowing which kind of convertible hand truck best fits your needs is important. Let us help you take a look at the wide range of tools available and the differences, if any, between hand trucks and dollies, and help get your upcoming move done the right way.
Different Types of Dollies
If you have a moving dolly on your moving checklist, choosing the right one to carry things improves efficiency and safety during your move. Some are unitaskers, meaning they are only for carrying one specific type of item or have a very strict load capacity rating. Others can be used for a variety of things, from carrying boxes to moving appliances. Knowing the differences can save you headaches and money so that you can buy or rent the right one ahead of time.
Utility Dolly
Also known as a hand truck, a utility dolly is an L-shaped design that tends to be small, using only two wheels and a handle. By sliding the lower shelf of the dolly under the item, you can tilt it back to move it wherever you need it to go. It is ideal for moving several boxes at once, as well as small furniture and appliances. It can easily maneuver your load along narrow hallways, up and down stairs, and around sharp corners.
While getting up and down stairs can be a challenge, utility dollies are very similar to hand trucks and can make moving boxes go much faster than carrying one at a time. Every mover should try to have one for their move.
Appliance Dolly
An appliance dolly works very similarly to a utility dolly, allowing you to move big, heavy appliances. This is perfect for moving refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines. The appliance and the utility dolly come with straps to secure your items to the dolly's frame.
The only issue with these types of dollies is that they are truly suited for one task only. Depending on the size of the lower shelf, you might only be able to use them for moving appliances. Professional moving companies typically have these in their toolkit, but you are better off trying to rent one if you are planning to move yourself.
Furniture Dolly
A furniture dolly is flat and has a wide base with four swivel wheels that can move in any direction. You would typically use this to move large and bulky pieces like a couch, dresser, or desk. Just load and secure the piece on and give it a push. A furniture dolly can usually handle up to 1,000 lbs, and it has a tight turning radius for hallways and elevators, but it cannot be used on stairs.
While these types of dollies could be considered unitaskers, it is possible to use furniture dollies for more than just furniture. You could use them for transporting large boxes or bulkier items that fit the width and length of the base of the dolly and move several at a time that way.
Take a look at one of our other blogs about moving heavy items safely and securely to avoid injury and damage to your belongings to help with your upcoming move.
Is There a Difference Between Various Dollies and Hand Trucks?
As you can see, there are many different types of dollies, so which one is best for your specific needs? That will depend on what exactly you will be moving, if you are using professional labor providers to assist with your move, and how much you are wanting to spend on things you might not need anymore after your move has been completed.
Dollies vs. Hand Trucks
Hand trucks, sometimes called hand or utility dollies, are often viewed as interchangeable with a moving dolly. In practice, though, they are not quite the same.
Hand trucks are vertical in design and are an excellent choice for moving smaller items. One of the benefits of a hand truck is the ease with which you can slide it up under items rather than having to lift the item onto a flat dolly. Some hand trucks even come with accessories that will turn them into a dolly. A hand truck is a great choice to move smaller items, a couple of boxes at a time, and to maneuver in smaller areas, and are close in design and use to utility dollies.
A moving dolly is a platform on four wheels, making it the best choice for safety. Although you must lift the item onto the moving dolly, it can be safely secured once it is there. A moving dolly comes in various sizes, and its design provides greater stability, especially for large and heavy items.
Appliance Dolly vs. Utility Dolly
While an appliance dolly may look like a regular utility dolly, it is specifically designed to help stabilize appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, and dryers. Appliance dollies come with straps to secure these heavy items, and some even have additional safety features.
A utility dolly is just another name for a hand truck or hand dolly. It can be used to move smaller and lighter items, such as several boxes or small pieces of furniture, from your home to the 1-800-PACK-RAT unit. They are the most useful dolly of the lot, considering the different types of items they can move, specifically boxes, which likely make up the bulk of the items you are moving.
Tips for Using Dollies for Your Move
1) Whether it is an upright or a flat dolly, make sure any straps used are securely ratcheted into place each trip. If you are not sure how this is done, ask for a quick lesson from whoever provides you with the dolly. However, do not ratchet pressboard furniture onto a dolly too tightly, as the pressure can splinter the item into pieces.
2) Wrap your furniture in pads before securing it to any dolly. This will prevent scratches on wooden furniture and stains or tears on upholstered furniture. You can have furniture pads and other moving supplies shipped to your home so they are ready when you are. If you are trying to save a bit of money, though, you can use towels or old bedsheets to cover your furniture.
3) Sometimes, desks, horizontal dressers, and couches are best transported on an upright dolly by standing them on their end. Just be sure to empty or wrap all the drawers first to avoid damage or overloading the dolly with weight!
Pro tip: Standing desks, dressers, and couches on end is not only suitable for ease of transport but is also a great way to maximize the space inside your 1-800-PACK-RAT portable moving container. Check out our space calculator to ensure you have enough room for your stuff - we can always bring out more containers if your move requires it.
4) When loading a stack of boxes onto a hand truck-style dolly, be sure the stacks are straight, balanced, and fully aligned and will not topple over once you start rolling. Also, make certain the heavier boxes are at the bottom of the stack.
Make sure the top box is not blocking your view and that it is at least partially resting against the bars so that it will not slide off. You might be tempted to load as many boxes as possible to avoid doing an extra trip or two, but the risk of damage and injury increases by a large amount if you are pushing a dolly full of boxes you cannot see around.
5) When rolling over bumps, thresholds, and stairs, be sure the wheels hit head-on. If the wheels go over at an angle, it could tip the dolly and its contents. Try rolling over these obstacles slowly, and if you need a bit of a runway to get over them, have someone spot your boxes or stacked items as you do it to avoid them falling over.
6) Tie or tape up loose items such as hoses, plugs, and wires to prevent tripping over them, getting them tangled in the dolly wheels, or jostling the boxes as you go over them.
How Much Does a Moving Dolly Cost?
If you do not hire professional labor assistance, you may need to rent or buy one or more moving dollies. Moving dolly rental costs vary but generally run about $14-$20 per day for an appliance dolly and less for smaller hand trucks. Consider purchasing a moving dolly if more moving is in your future. If you do, keep in mind that quality impacts safety. Small moving or wooden dollies with a lower pound rating may run from $11-$100, while larger moving dollies that can handle more oversized loads, like a furniture dolly, could run in the hundreds of dollars.
You can rent various moving dollies at most big-box stores, including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, and your local hardware store or rental place. If you decide to purchase a moving dolly, not only do those same stores have them to buy, but you can also check your discount stores, like Walmart.
Pro Tip: You can check out places like Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone is selling used moving dollies or hand trucks for cheap. As with any online buying with other people, exercise caution and always meet in a public place.
Use 1-800-PACK-RAT to Make Your Moving & Storage Needs Even Simpler
From push carts to hand trucks, choosing the right moving dolly will speed up your move and help reduce the strain of moving on your body.
Remember to give 1-800-PACK-RAT a call if you need any local or long-distance moving assistance. Our portable storage containers are the perfect solution for any type or size of move and give you the most flexibility to make your move as smooth as possible. They even double as storage units that can stay on-site or be transported to one of our local and secure warehouse facilities. Go online for a free quote or give us a call today to see how we can make moving and storage simple for you.