Moving Dolly – A Man’s Best Friend During a House Move

Having the right tools for a job makes the job easier – everyone knows that. What not everyone may know, however, is what the right tools for a particular job are – or how to use them.

When it comes to moving, there are many useful pieces of equipment that can make the process faster, safer, and smoother – moving straps, moving dollies, furniture sliders, etc. Each of these specialized tools is extremely helpful, but the dolly is the most essential one to have on moving day.

Moving dollies can help you move anything – from bins and boxes to furniture and appliances – with minimal effort and minimum risk of damages and injuries. When used properly, they can save you time, save your back, and ensure the safety of your items and your property.

You just need to choose the right dolly for the job – and to know how to use it the right way.

How to choose the right dolly for your move

Moving dollies are said to be movers’ best friends.  But what is a dolly and what is it used for?

A dolly for moving – also known as a moving cart – is basically a platform on wheels. It makes it possible to move large and heavy items without putting too much strain on the body and reduces the risk of damages and injuries during a move.

Using a dolly allows you to move several boxes at once, move items that weigh hundreds of pounds, move items over obstacles, and even move items up and down stairs. It speeds up the moving process (using a hand truck can cut loading/unloading time by 50%) and makes it safer (using a dolly eliminates the risk of dropping an item during your move and breaking it, causing property damage, or hurting yourself; it also saves you a lot of heavy lifting and, therefore, reduces the risk of injuries from lifting heavy objects).

Quality moving dollies are made of metal (so they can withstand heavy weight) and usually come with a strap (so the load can be easily secured). They may have solid rubber wheels (ideal for moving heavy objects across flat surfaces) or inflatable wheels (excellent for passing over obstacles and moving items up and down stairs).

There are different types of dollies each of which is better suited for a different purpose and has its own specific advantages:

Utility dolly

When thinking of a dolly, the image that first comes to mind is a two-wheel, upright hand truck. There is a good reason why the traditional 2-wheel dolly is the most popular type of dolly – it’s extremely versatile, very easy to use, and highly efficient.

Typically made of aluminum or steel, utility dollies have tall, vertical backs and small horizontal platforms at the bottom where to set the load. The back and the platform form the distinct L shape of the upright utility dolly.

Also called a big wheel dolly, a hand truck usually has two large pneumatic wheels connected to an axle that act as shock absorbers when passing over obstacles (so you can safely move your load over thresholds and other obstructions and even up and down stairs) and a handle at the top (either a semicircular handlebar or two ergonomic handles covered in rubber grips), so you can easily navigate the dolly.

Most models come with durable elastic straps for securing the load to the frame of the dolly.

Generally, utility dollies can handle several hundred pounds of weight – the standard load capacity of a hand truck is about 500-600 lbs. You’re, however, advised to always check the maximum carrying capacity of a dolly before using it, as each model is different – a heavy-duty dolly can withstand up to 700 lbs., while a folding dolly can only handle up to 400 lbs.

Key takeaway: The utility dolly is an all-purpose dolly, widely considered the best dolly for moving. It is ideal for moving boxes, small furniture, and all kinds of small to medium sized household items – it allows you to stack and move several boxes at once, move lightweight furniture pieces like filing cabinets and small dressers, take items up or down stairs, and easily maneuver your load in tight spaces and around sharp corners. A hand truck, however, should not be used for moving large and heavy items like refrigerators and wardrobes.

Appliance dolly

Appliance dollies are very similar in appearance and structure to utility dollies, but they’re taller wider, and stronger.

Specifically designed for moving big, heavy appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, appliance dollies are made of steel and can withstand great weights (the average load capacity of an appliance dolly is about 700 lbs., but some heavy duty models can handle up to 1,000 pounds).

Appliance dollies typically have small solid wheels (to roll more easily) and strong nylon ratchet straps (to secure the load in place). Some models even feature a locking auto-recoil mechanism or a special tightening handle for increased safety.

Most appliance dollies have dual continuous-flow handles for extra security and control and some even come with an additional handhold to help with steadying the load and moving on an incline.  

Quality appliance dollies have rub rails, as well – to protect the finish of the transported appliance.

Key takeaway: The sturdy appliance dolly is your best choice when moving kitchen appliances and other bulky items. When considering the appliance dolly vs utility dolly dilemma, keep in mind that an appliance dolly has all the advantages of a regular hand truck plus a couple of added bonuses (bigger load capacity and better security), but it is more expensive and not as convenient as a utility dolly.

Furniture dolly

The furniture dolly is a flat dolly with a rectangular platform made of wood or steel and swivel wheels at each corner. The platform area is usually covered in carpet or rubber for added protection (the thick rubber or carpet padding cushions the transported furniture piece and prevents scuffing and other surface damage).

Unlike other dollies, a furniture moving dolly doesn’t have handles or built-in straps. Still, it is very easy to navigate (the 4-wheel dolly has a tight turning radius and the solid rubber wheels swivel 360 degrees, making the furniture dolly perfect for maneuvering large pieces in tight spaces) and can move just about anything (items of all sizes and shapes can fit on the flat dolly as the load is not confined in any way).

Furniture dollies can handle up to a thousand pounds, allowing you to easily move large and heavy furniture pieces or other bulky items. Keep in mind though that there is no lever or lifting mechanism, so it is not very easy to load a heavy object onto the dolly. Besides, a furniture dolly cannot be used on stairs.

Key takeaway: The heavy-duty, four-wheel furniture dolly is perfect for moving dressers, couches, desks, wall units, pianos and other big and heavy household items. Just remember that it cannot help you move items up or down stairs.

Dolly cart

A hand cart dolly is a combination of a furniture dolly and a hand truck – it has a large platform and four swivel wheels (like a furniture dolly), and a strong upright handle (like a utility dolly).

The large, sturdy platform withstands extreme weight and allows for better stability, the swivel wheels ensure great maneuverability, and the handle facilitates navigation and steering (it increases the control you have over the load and reduces the risk of bumping into walls and other obstacles while taking your items in or out of the home).

Despite their numerous advantages, however, dolly carts are not suitable for moving very long or very wide items that need to be balanced across the center of the dolly platform (such as couches, for example). And just like standard furniture dollies, 4-wheel cart dollies are difficult to load and cannot be used on stairs.

Key takeaway: The push cart dolly is ideal for moving extremely heavy items on flat surfaces, as well as for moving several heavy boxes at once. It can help streamline your work and save you a lot of time and effort on moving day.

Dolly prices

When choosing a dolly for your move, in addition to the specifics of different types of dollies, you will, no doubt, want to know the dolly cost as well. So, how much is a dolly?

Dolly prices are not very high – you can easily afford to buy a dolly and if you only need to rent one for the day of your move, you can get it really cheap:

• Furniture dollies are the cheapest of all moving dollies – You can purchase a simple flat dolly for as little as $20. Higher quality furniture moving dollies cost around $40 and heavy-duty models can go up to $60. When it comes to renting a dolly, rental truck companies and department stores typically offer furniture dollies for rent for about $7-$10 (up to $20 for high quality models);
• Hand trucks are fairly inexpensive as well – depending on their quality and load capacity, they can cost anywhere between $40 and $80. Utility dolly rental costs are around the $10 mark (up to $20 for heavy duty models);
• Dolly cart prices start at around $50 and go up to $90-$100, based on the quality of the push cart and the weight it can hold. You can rent a hand cart dolly for about $12-$15 a day (up to $20 for high end models);
• Appliance dollies are a bit pricier – depending on the exact model, they can cost up to $200 (the cheapest models start at $70). If you don’t want to buy an appliance dolly but just to rent one for the day of your move, you can expect to pay about $15-$20 (up to $25).

Choosing a moving dolly

Dollies come in different shapes and sizes – you can get a 2-wheel dolly or a 4-wheel dolly, a flat dolly or an upright dolly, a collapsible dolly or a convertible hand cart, a small dolly or a large dolly, etc. Now that you know the specifics, advantages, disadvantages, and costs of each type, you can easily choose the right one for you.

Consider the items you have for moving (small furniture, large furniture, appliances, specialty items, or just boxes) and the peculiarities of your origin and destination locations (stairs, tight spaces, etc.) and pick the dolly that best suits your needs – get a flat dolly if you need a dolly for moving heavy furniture, a hand truck if you need to take your items up or down stairs, an appliance dolly if you’re moving your kitchen appliances, etc. If necessary, get two (or even three) different types of dollies – what matters is to make your move as easy and safe as possible.

To do so, however, you need to not only choose the right dolly for the job, but also to know how to use it the right way.

How to use a dolly like a pro

Different types of dollies are used for different purposes and in slightly different ways. There are, however, some fundamentals of using a dolly that apply in all cases:

• Clear the path – Remove any obstacles from the path of the dolly to reduce the risk of mishaps and accidents while wheeling your items to their destination. Keep kids and pets out of the way to make sure they won’t get hurt in the process or inadvertently cause an accident;
• Dress with safety in mind – wear sturdy, close-toed shoes with anti-slippery soles (to protect your feet and reduce the risk of slipping while pushing your dolly around), long pants (to protect your shins and knees), and work gloves (to protect your hand and ensure a better grip);

• Ensure adequate clearance around the item you intend to load on a dolly (pull the item away from any walls, furniture, or other items), so you have ample room to get your dolly into position, load the item, and maneuver it away;
• Check the load capacity of a dolly before using it to move a heavy object;
• Don’t try to load large and heavy items on a dolly by yourself – the item may fall on you and hurt you or get damaged, or you may hurt yourself or damage the item when trying to load it on the dolly;
• Secure the cargo to the dolly with straps, ropes, or bungees cords before you start moving the load – to prevent items from slipping off the dolly while wheeling it to its destination;
• Roll straight over obstacles like bumps and thresholds – if you go at them at an angle, the dolly will tip and your cargo may fall;
• When the dolly is not in use, keep it out of the way (so no one trips on it, steps on it and skids, etc.)

Related: Safety tips for moving day

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to find out how to use different types of dollies:

How to use a hand truck

As already mentioned above, the utility dolly is extremely versatile and can be used to move a wide variety of items. Yet, it is most often used to transport boxes – the hand truck is the preferred type of dolly for transporting stacked boxes because of the extra support provided by the upright metal frame.

So, how to use a dolly to move boxes?

• Load your boxes on the dolly – Start with the biggest and heaviest boxes and stack the cartons one on top of another until they reach the top of the upright back of the dolly. If the boxes are all the same size, put the heavier ones at the bottom and keep stacking lighter ones on top all the way up to the end of the vertical back of the hand truck;
• Create a straight and balanced stack so that the boxes don’t topple over during transportation – Load each box so that the majority of its weight is in line with the center of the dolly. If the boxes are the same size, make sure their edges line up;
• Make sure the top box of the stack is at least partially resting on the back frame of the dolly, so it doesn’t slide off when the dolly starts rolling;
• Do not put large boxes on top of the stack, even if they’re lightweight – you need to be able to see where you are going and a large box may block your view;
• Once the boxes are loaded, get behind the back of the dolly, put a foot on the axel (the bar in between the wheels) to hold the hand truck in place, and carefully tilt the dolly backward until the weight of the load is balanced over the wheels;
• Wheel the loaded utility dolly slowly and carefully to your destination:

1. When on level ground, push the hand truck in front of you. Use one hand to hold and steady the top of the cargo (be sure to apply enough downward pressure on the top box of the stack to keep the boxes in the middle from popping out during transit). Steer the dolly with your other hand;
2. When moving up an incline (for example, up the ramp of the moving truck), pull the dolly behind you (you will need to walk backward);
3. When moving down a decline, stay above the dolly, keep it tilted backward, and carefully roll it down the slope.

Good to remember:

1. Keep the hand truck tilted backward at such an angle that the weight of the load remains evenly distributed over the wheels at all times. If you hold the dolly too upright, the cargo may slide off the front end. If you tilt the dolly too far backward, a bigger part of the weight will be transferred to you, which will make your job more difficult and more dangerous;
2. When pushing a dolly ahead, lean into it. If pulling a dolly uphill or going down a decline, lean away from the hand truck;
3. When moving on an incline you should always be above the dolly – so you’re out of the truck’s path in the event of an accident.

How to use a hand truck to move small furniture pieces

A utility dolly is your best bet for moving not only stacks of boxes, but small furniture pieces as well. Here is how to use a dolly to move furniture:

• Empty the furniture and wrap it in thick moving blankets to protect its finish from damage (keep in mind that the metal parts of the hand truck – the bottom plate, in particular – can scratch the surface of the furniture if it is not properly wrapped in protective materials);
• Decide how to position the furniture on the dolly – depending on the size and shape of the furniture, you may be able to move it in an upright position or you may need to move it on its side or even upside down. It’s best to position the furniture in such a way that its most solid and most even part lies on the dolly platform and its longest part lines up with the vertical back of the hand truck;
• Bring the hand truck close to the furniture and tilt it forward to slide the bottom plate under the piece. If necessary, have a helper tilt the furniture back so that it lifts half an inch off the floor, allowing the dolly to slip easily under it;
• Make sure the piece is centered on the bottom plate of the dolly and its weight is well balanced;
• Secure the furniture piece to the dolly with a strap or a rope;

• Tilt the hand truck backward until the weight is balanced over the wheels – be sure to hold the front of the cargo with your hand (or ask your helper to do so) to make sure the item tilts backward with the dolly, not forward off of it;
• Wheel the furniture to its destination (follow the above tips for maneuvering a dolly).

Good to remember:

1. You can only use a utility dolly to move furniture if the piece is small enough to fit comfortably and securely on the dolly. A hand truck should not be used to move large or tall items that are higher than you when put on the dolly;
2. If you’re moving a furniture piece with legs in an upright position (this is only possible if the legs are very short), keep in mind that the legs will be jutting out and may catch on a threshold or the edge of a step and break.

How to use a dolly on stairs

One of the greatest advantages of utility dollies is that they can help you move a heavy item up or down stairs. Here is how to use a hand track on stairs in a safe and efficient way:

• Go one step at a time, rolling the dolly slowly up or down each step to keep the load from bouncing off. (When moving a furniture piece up stairs, you will need to walk backward, pulling the hand truck up one step at a time. When moving the furniture down stairs, you need to walk forward, making sure to ease both wheels over the edge of each step and down onto the next simultaneously);
• Avoid tilting the hand truck too far backwards when going down stairs – if there is too much of a tilt, the slats of the truck may slide down the edge of a step and the wheels may pass over the next step, creating sudden momentum that can cause the load to fall from the dolly or make you lose your hold on the hand truck;
• Have a helper on the other side of the dolly to steady the furniture and help lift it from step to step – or brace it from below and help guide it downward. Be very careful not to drop the dolly, though – your helper may not be able to get out of the way in time.

See also: How to move heavy furniture up stairs

How to use an appliance dolly

Appliance dollies are used in much the same way as utility dollies, but the loads are bigger, heavier, and more vulnerable to damage, so extra precautions are required to ensure safety and efficiency:

• Measure the doorways to make sure your large appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, stove, etc.) will fit though – you may need to remove some doors from their hinges to make extra space;
• Unplug the appliance (be sure to defrost fridges and freezers in advance) and move it away from the wall;
• Secure any hoses and electrical cords – tie them up or tape them to the back of the appliance;

• Wrap the appliance in moving blankets to protect it from damage during the move. If the appliance dolly has rub rails, the risk of scratching or denting the appliance when loading it onto the dolly and transporting it to its destination will be very small, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry (you may, for example, hit a corner or a sharp object while wheeling the appliance to its destination);
• Move the appliance dolly to the edge of the appliance, have your helper tilt the bulky item back so it lifts slightly off the ground, and slide the bottom plate of the dolly underneath the appliance. Make sure you load the appliance from the side to avoid the risk of damaging the front of the item or the mechanical components that are positioned on the back. (Besides, the sides have an even surface that will rest snugly against the support bars on the back of the dolly – so the appliance will rest more securely on the dolly when loaded this way.);
• Make sure the appliance is stable and well balanced on the dolly and secure it in place with the built-in ratchet strap – bring the strap around the appliance (be sure to keep it straight), tighten it, and lock it in place (close the ratchet head). If the dolly has an auto-recoil mechanism or a tightening handle, use them to tighten and secure the strap;
• Tilt the appliance dolly back on its wheels – brace the dolly by placing your foot on the axel and keep one hand pressed to the front of the appliance as detailed above;
• Wheel the appliance to where it needs to go, following the above tips for maneuvering a dolly.

Good to remember: When going up stairs or up an incline, have a helper support the appliance from below and push it forward as you pull the dolly backwards up the stairs or up the slope. When going down stairs or down an incline, roll the dolly slowly and carefully down each step or down the slope and have your helper brace the appliance from below to keep it stable and help guide it downward. (If wondering how to use an appliance dolly on stairs, check the above tips for using a hand truck on stairs.)

See also: How to move kitchen appliances

How to use a furniture dolly

You already know how to move furniture with a utility dolly. This method, however, works only for small, lightweight pieces. When moving larger and heavier furniture, you need to use a furniture dolly:

• Plan the route from the current position of the furniture piece to its destination – measure doorways and hallways to see if the furniture will fit through and make sure there are no stairs along the way. Keep in mind that furniture dollies work best on flat, solid surfaces – it is very difficult to roll a furniture dolly on grass, sand, or gravel or to  get it over an obstacle without spilling the load;
• Decide in what position to move the furniture so that it is most stable on the dolly and you have the most maneuvering room. It’s recommended to place the piece on its most solid and most even surface and to put as much surface area in contact with the dolly as possible. (This means that tall items like bookcases and armoires are best moved on their sides and flat-topped items like desks and horizontal dressers – upside down. Sofas should be moved on their backs.);

• Empty the furniture and take out any drawers to make the piece lighter and easier to maneuver;
• Wrap the furniture in moving blankets to protect it from damage (See also: How to pack furniture for moving);
• Get the 4-wheel dolly close to the furniture and load the piece (have someone help you, as loading a heavy furniture item on a flat dolly is not a one-person job):
  • If the piece isn’t too heavy, work in tandem with your helper to lift the furniture slightly into the air and set it on the dolly. Lift with your legs, not your back – keep your back straight, bend your knees, make sure you have a good grip on the item, and lift it carefully up. Keep the dolly in place with your foot and carefully place the furniture on top of the platform. Ensure the weight of the load is distributed evenly on the dolly and the furniture piece is well balanced;
  • If the furniture is too heavy to safely lift it, tilt it backward (with the help of your partner) so the side facing the dolly lifts off the ground, then slide the dolly under the furniture with your foot and work with your helper to raise the piece onto the dolly platform. Keep a firm hold on the furniture to prevent it from toppling over or sliding back down and keep the dolly in place with your foot because the weight of the furniture may kick out the dolly as it comes down on it. Ensure the weight of the load is evenly distributed and the furniture piece is properly balanced;
  • To load a tall piece on its side, get on the same side of the furniture as the dolly and then pull the top of the piece toward you (have your helper brace the furniture from the opposite side). Lower the piece slowly and carefully onto the dolly platform (keep the dolly in place with your foot). Make sure the furniture is well balanced on the dolly;
  • To load a couch, center the dolly behind it and tip the couch on its back. (If the back of the sofa is not solid, place a piece of plywood on top of the dolly for support.)
• When possible, secure the loaded furniture piece to the dolly with ropes, straps, or bungee cords;
• Push gently from the back (with your hands on the furniture piece) to roll the loaded dolly to its destination. Have your helper steer the dolly from the front and steady the load with their hands;
• Keep an eye on the floor all the time, so you don’t run into an obstacle that will cause the dolly to stop rolling and the furniture piece to topple over. When moving a tall piece, keep an eye on the ceiling too, so you don’t smash any light fixtures or smoke alarms. Take extra care around corners and on the ramp of the moving truck.

Remember: Using a dolly to move furniture will save you a lot of heavy lifting and will help prevent injuries and damages on moving day.

Must-read: How to move large and heavy furniture by yourself

Using a moving dolly will make your move faster, safer, and easier. Yet, if it seems like too much work or too much of a risk, it may be better to leave the job to the experts. Professional movers have the specialized equipment, expert skills, and rich experience to perform your move in the safest and most efficient way possible. They will bring a dolly (several dollies, in fact) and will know how to use them properly – and they will take good care of your items and will ensure your smooth and successful relocation experience.