Types of Moving Dollies Explained: Furniture Dolly vs Hand Truck vs 4-Wheel Dolly vs Leverage Dolly
Introduction: The Right Dolly Depends on the Load
Walk into any rental counter or hardware store and you'll find a wall of dollies that all promise to make moving easier. They don't all work the same way, though, and picking the wrong one is how a simple move turns into a damaged floor, a tipped load, or a sore back. This guide explains the main types of moving dollies (furniture dollies, hand trucks, appliance dollies, 4-wheel convertible hand trucks, and leverage dollies), what each one is actually good at, and how to tell which one your move needs. If your load is heavy, tall, or top-heavy, we'll also show where the Anderson Dolly fits in.
I. Furniture Dolly (Platform Dolly)
What it is: A flat platform, usually wood, plastic, or metal, with a caster at each corner. You set the item on top and push.
- Good for: Boxes, dressers, cabinets, and other items with a flat bottom that you can safely lift onto the platform.
- The catch: Someone has to get the load onto the platform in the first place. For a light dresser that's easy. For a gun safe, a loaded tool chest, or a commercial appliance, that first lift is exactly the dangerous part. The load also isn't secured, so it can slide or tip if a caster catches.
II. Hand Truck (Two-Wheel Dolly)
What it is: An upright frame with two wheels and a nose plate at the bottom. You slide the nose plate under the load, tip it back onto the wheels, and balance it as you roll.
- Good for: Stacks of boxes, cases of product, and medium-weight items you can comfortably balance.
- The catch: A hand truck only works while you hold the balance point. The heavier and taller the load, the more weight ends up in your hands, and if it gets past the wheels it's falling, usually toward you. Tipping also isn't an option for everything. Some equipment, like many vending machines and display cases, shouldn't be laid back at all.
III. Appliance Dolly
What it is: A taller, heavier-built hand truck with a strap or ratchet belt that cinches the appliance to the frame.
- Good for: Refrigerators, washers, and dryers in a standard residential move.
- The catch: It's still a tilt-and-balance tool. The strap keeps the appliance attached to the dolly, but you're still tipping it back and controlling the weight on two wheels for the entire move.
IV. 4-Wheel Convertible Hand Truck
What it is: A hand truck that folds down into a four-wheel cart, so you can switch between upright and platform modes.
- Good for: Warehouses, stockrooms, and deliveries where you move a mix of boxes and bulky items over longer distances.
- The catch: In cart mode, the load still has to be tipped or lifted onto the deck. It's a versatile tool for general freight, but it doesn't solve the problem of getting a very heavy item off the floor.
V. Leverage Dolly (Split, No-Tilt Dolly)
What it is: Instead of one platform or one frame, a leverage dolly is a pair of dollies, one on each side of the load. They use mechanical leverage to raise the item straight up so it can roll while it stays upright.
The Anderson Dolly is a patented ratcheting split-dolly system built this way:
- Position: Place one dolly on each side of the item.
- Strap: Secure the included ratchet straps around the load, with the foam pads protecting the finish.
- Crank: Work the ratchets and the dollies lift the load 1.5" off the ground. No tilting and no manual lifting.
- Roll: Push the item upright to its new spot, even in tight spaces, then lower it and remove the dollies.
- Good for: Heavy, tall, or top-heavy items that you don't want to tip: gun safes, vending machines, ATMs, commercial appliances, filing cabinets, server racks, and heavy tool chests.
- The catch: It's built for flat, level floors. It isn't the tool for boxes or for stairs and ramps (more on that below).
VI. Types of Moving Dollies Compared
| Dolly type | How the load gets on | Load position while moving | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture dolly | Lifted onto the platform | Flat, unsecured | Boxes and lighter flat-bottomed furniture |
| Hand truck | Nose plate slid under, then tipped back | Tilted, balanced by you | Box stacks and medium-weight items |
| Appliance dolly | Strapped to the frame, then tipped back | Tilted, balanced by you | Household appliances |
| 4-wheel convertible | Tipped or lifted onto the deck | Tilted or flat | Mixed freight and longer hauls |
| Leverage dolly (Anderson Dolly) | Ratcheted straight up 1.5" | Upright, no tilting | Heavy, tall, or top-heavy equipment |
VII. How to Choose: Three Questions to Ask
- Can I safely lift or tip it? If the honest answer is no, rule out platform dollies and hand trucks. Check the item's real weight on its spec sheet or label instead of guessing.
- Should it stay upright? Equipment with screens, glass, internal mechanisms, or a high center of gravity is safer moved upright. That points to a no-tilt leverage dolly.
- What does the route look like? Measure every doorway, hallway, and turn. Note thresholds, floor seams, and carpet edges. And if there are any stairs, plan for a professional mover for that part of the job.
If you're moving heavy equipment regularly, the older way of doing it (several people, a hand truck, and a lot of balancing) is the part a leverage dolly is designed to replace. For more on this, see our heavy-load dolly buyer's guide.
VIII. Which Anderson Dolly Configuration Fits Your Loads?
Every Anderson Dolly comes as a pair, weighs 25 lbs per dolly (50 lbs for the pair), and measures 29.5" H x 23" W x 5" D. The 23" width fits through standard doorways. The difference between configurations is the caster size and how your items sit on the floor.
3-Inch Casters, 1,600 lbs: For Items That Sit Close to the Ground
The 3-inch Anderson Dolly ($599, with the adjustable toe plate) is built for low-clearance loads like gun safes, filing cabinets, server racks, and heavy furniture. Its lower profile gives you better control and easier turning in tight spaces, and it's at its best on flat, smooth floors.
5-Inch Casters, 1,300 lbs: For Versatility and Items With Feet
The 5-inch Anderson Dolly ($599, with the adjustable toe plate) is the versatile choice for vending machines, commercial appliances, and items with higher ground clearance. The larger wheels roll more easily over door thresholds, uneven floors, carpet edges, and small bumps. It's rated at 1,300 lbs per pair.
5x2 Heavy Duty, 1,600 lbs: For Heavy Items on Feet
If your loads stand on feet and run heavy, the 5x2 Heavy Duty Anderson Dolly ($649) pairs larger casters with the full 1,600 lb rating.
Quick recommendation: Mostly low items like safes and cabinets? Choose 3-inch. Vending machines, appliances, or a mix? Choose 5-inch. Heavy equipment on feet? Choose the 5x2 Heavy Duty. Shopping for a specific job? See our gun safe dolly buying guide and our vending machine dolly buying guide.
IX. Safety Notes for Any Dolly
- Know the weight: Stay under the rated capacity of whatever dolly you use. The Anderson Dolly is rated at 1,600 lbs per pair (3-inch and 5x2 Heavy Duty) or 1,300 lbs per pair (5-inch).
- Flat and level only: The Anderson Dolly is made for flat, level floors. Never use it on ramps or inclines.
- No stairs: The Anderson Dolly can't go up or down steps. If your route includes stairs, hire a professional mover for that move.
- Clear the path first: Remove rugs, cords, and clutter, and prop doors open before the load is off the ground.
- Use a spotter for tight spots: The Anderson Dolly is designed for one-person operation, but a second set of eyes at corners and doorways is always smart.
X. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between a dolly and a hand truck?
A: People use the words loosely, but a hand truck is the upright two-wheel tool you tip back and balance. A furniture dolly is a flat platform on casters. A leverage dolly like the Anderson Dolly is a pair of units that lifts the load straight up so it rolls upright.
Q: What type of dolly is best for heavy items?
A: For heavy, tall, or top-heavy items that are risky to lift or tip, a no-tilt leverage dolly is the safest fit. For boxes and lighter items, a hand truck or platform dolly works fine.
Q: Does the Anderson Dolly replace my hand truck?
A: Not for everything. Keep a hand truck for boxes. The Anderson Dolly is for the heavy equipment you don't want to tip, like safes, vending machines, ATMs, and commercial appliances.
Q: Can the Anderson Dolly go up stairs or ramps?
A: No. It's built for flat, level floors only. It can't go up or down stairs and should never be used on ramps or inclines. If your route has stairs, hire a professional mover.
Q: Will it fit through a doorway?
A: Each dolly is 23" wide, so it fits through standard doorways. Measure your item and the route before moving day.
Q: What about shipping, warranty, and returns?
A: Orders ship the same or next business day via UPS Ground for a flat $50. Every Anderson Dolly is made in the USA, has a lifetime parts warranty, and comes with free returns within 30 days.
Ready to Stop Tipping Heavy Loads?
Hand trucks and platform dollies have their place, but heavy equipment deserves a tool that keeps it upright and keeps the weight off your back. Shop the Anderson Dolly, pick the caster size that matches how your items sit, and make your next heavy move a one-person job.
