When you’ve got boxes, sacks, or who knows what else to transfer from point A to point B, nothing beats decent dollies or hand trucks. There’s also a wide range of options, from little folding units that fit in the trunk to strong platforms that can support hundreds of pounds.
Because the greatest dolly for you is highly dependent on the type of work you expect from it, this article has prepared a buyer’s guide to assist you in making the best decision.
We have our own testing facilities, and we’ve spoken with industry leaders to acquire their feedback. Hundreds of individuals, just like you, have shared their thoughts with us.
Importantly, all of our findings are unrelated to one another. Accepting manufacturer samples is appealing, but it may put us under pressure to favor a certain product. We value our reputation for providing honest and unbiased evaluations above all else, therefore we buy the products we test with our own money, in the same stores where you shop.
If you’re ready to buy, the five dollies mentioned above are the ones we recommend. Please read the accompanying report to learn more about the factors we examined when making our conclusions.
TYPES OF DOLLIES OR HAND TRUCK
An upright dolly’s basic premise is simple: leverage allows you to lift more than you could on your own, and wheels make it easier to transport. That concept has progressed, and we now have three options:
Let’s take a look at each one and discuss their advantages and disadvantages:
This is the model that appears to have existed for a long time. Basic upright dollies, also known as hand trucks or sack trucks, are typically constructed of welded tubular steel. Handles can be a continuation of the tube that runs around the top, a center loop (known as a “P” or “D” handle), or a pair of rubber gripped handles. The second and third types make tilting the dolly toward you a little easier at first.
Solid rubber wheels are usually installed on a plain axle. The wheels move smoothly thanks to ball bearings. The load is carried by a small platform in front (known as a “toe plate” or “nose plate”).
pros
- Design that is simple and functional.
- Durable, especially with an anti-rust epoxy powder coating.
- Upright dollies are tough and can withstand a lot of abuse.
- Can carry weights ranging from 400 to 600 pounds.
- Though heavy-duty models can be costly, they are relatively inexpensive.
cons
- It’s a bit heavy.
- There is no room for error.
Upright dollies are designed for simple, fuss-free lifting. Because it does what it’s supposed to, the design hasn’t altered much over the centuries. It can also withstand being tossed into a truck, dropped from a truck, pushed over, damaged, or scratched. In the realm of dollies, the upright is the workhorse.
A folding dolly’s main building material is commonly aluminum alloy. Invariably, the handle is a continuation of the frame loop. Traditional hand trucks feature smaller wheels, but they still have solid rubber tires.
A folding dolly’s main building material is commonly aluminum alloy. Invariably, the handle is a continuation of the frame loop. Traditional hand trucks feature smaller wheels, but they still have solid rubber tires.
pros
- When folded, the wheels and nose plate fold flat, and the handle is telescopic, making it exceedingly compact.
- It’s simple to store and move.
- It is light in weight.
- Aluminum is a non-corrosive metal.
- Inexpensive.
- Models for commercial use may lift up to 300 pounds.
cons
- Not as long-lasting as a standard dollies.
- “Personal” models are limited to lifting only 150 pounds.
- When loaded, smaller wheels make it more difficult to maneuver.lies
Because of its adaptability, the folding dolly is quite popular. It can be thrown in the trunk, hung on a garage rack, or even stuffed into a cupboard. Heavy-duty models can handle nearly as much as a standard steel dolly, but they won’t take as much abuse. They’re normally well-made, but with so many joints and hinges, objects are more likely to flex or break over time.
A sportier version of a convertible dolly sounds like it should be! In actuality, these are dollies that may be utilized upright or converted into four-wheeled load platforms in a matter of seconds.
The majority of the frame is usually built of plastic – usually, nylon polymer reinforced with fiberglass – to conserve weight. Handles are normally steel loops, however, they can also be telescopic.
Steel toe plates are fastened to the frame. The main wheels are solid rubber tires, similar to those on typical upright dollies, however, better ones include pneumatic tires. The second set of wheels, usually located near the handles, is usually smaller and castor-style, with solid plastic wheels without tires.
pros
- The convertible may be used as a normal hand truck or a rolling platform, giving it a lot of versatility.
- Up to 700 pounds of load capacity in a four-wheeled position.
- When pneumatic tires are installed, they provide a smooth ride.
- When not filled, it can be very light, making it quite portable.
cons
- Plastic frames are not as durable as steel frames.
- Folding variants are more compact.
- Castor wheels could be a stumbling block. Rubber is more durable and free-running.
Regardless of weight, there’s a limit to how much you can stack on an upright dolly. On a horizontal load platform, you can get a lot more done and it’s probably more stable. The caster wheels are the only flaw. They don’t roll as smoothly as rubber or pneumatic wheels (especially when loaded), and they don’t handle uneven terrain, steps, or curbs well.
| IMAGE | Product name | DETAILS | Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gator |
Gator
|
Gator Frameworks All-Terrain Folding Multi-Utility Cart with 30-52” |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Wellmax |
Wellmax
|
Push Cart Dolly by Wellmax, Moving Platform Hand Truck, |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Nesaila |
Nesaila
|
Nesaila Folding Hand Truck and Dolly Heavy Duty 175lbs Capacity Stair |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Leeyoung |
Leeyoung
|
Leeyoung Folding Hand Truck and Dolly, 264 Lb Capacity Heavy-Duty Luggage Trolley |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Vergo |
Vergo
|
Vergo Industrial 275 lbs Capacity Folding Hand Truck Dolly Cart (S300BT) |
|
Check On Amazon |
STAIR CLIMBERS:
Because it’s an addition to a dolly rather than a separate sort, stair climbers aren’t truly a configuration in the sense we’ve looked at dollies thus far. Stair climbers can be upright, folding, or convertible variants.
An extra set of wheels transforms them into a stair climber. They have three or five instead of one, organized around a central core. The design is similar to that of a fidget spinner. As you roll the stair climber up against a curb or step, each wheel bears the load in turn and continues to spin. The operation is smoother and easier because there is no stopping and beginning.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD DOLLIES?
What you need it to do will have a big impact on the dolly you should get, but there are certain generalizations we can draw.
Every day, individuals use a basic upright dolly to load and unload trucks and vans all around the world. If you’re that person, there’s nothing more straightforward, long-lasting, or cost-effective. Years after you’ve quit, it’ll most likely still be doing the job!
FOR YOUR SAFETY:
- Put on some strong shoes. Steel-toed boots with non-slip soles are recommended.
- When lifting, keep your back straight. Bending at the waist is not a good idea. Squat down by bending your knees.
- It’s usually a good idea to wear work gloves. They not only protect your hands, but they also strengthen your grip.
WHAT SHOULD YOU PAY FOR A GOOD HAND TRUCK OR DOLLIES?
There’s never been a better time to buy a dolly or hand truck because there’s such a large assortment available at such low costs.
Normally, we would advise consumers to avoid buying cheap goods, but that is not the case here. You can acquire a pretty decent folding dolly or basic upright hand truck for approximately $30 and $60 if you have appropriate weight capacity expectations.
You’ll pay more if you want pneumatic tires, higher weight capacities, or the ability to switch from an upright to a horizontal platform – but even the best, with all the features most people would ever need, can be yours for less than $100.
Professional models range from $250 to $800, and dollies with stair climbers are often at the higher end of that price range. They are pricey, but they are quite durable.
Stair climber kits are available for roughly $30 to $40, however, we do not suggest them. They are a bolt-on attachment rather than an intrinsic part of the design, and instead of providing more wheels, they rely on physical leverage.
CONCLUSION:
Since each of the tools we reviewed has its positives, it’s up to you to decide which one is the best for you. If you need something for occasional use, for example, a simple folding model may be all you need. If you’re going to be using it frequently, on the other hand, look for smooth-gliding wheels and consider whether your height or grip needs will be accommodated by the different designs out there.
