Convertible Hand Trucks and Dollies

Sometimes you need a handtruck, other times you need a cart. These convertible hand trucks by Dutro quickly convert to carts, making handling different kinds of freight efficient.

The Devil is in the Details with Convertible Hand Trucks

It’s a cool idea: make a traditional-style hand truck on two-wheels quickly convert to a 4-wheeled cart. There are tons of 2-way, 3-way and other style convertibles out there on the market.

And do they vary in price and rating! So how do you sort it out?

There are two ways vendors skimp on these hand trucks – first, they make them out of aluminum. And second, they skimp on the wheels. Let’s begin with the wheels:

  1. Stay away from pneumatic tires on convertibles. – If you have to add air to the tires you will limit the weight capacity. Everything is just great until you run out of air in the tires.
  2. Size matters with tires, too. — The tire size will dictate where this hand truck can go. A good mid-size tire is best, allowing for many floor types and even different terrain outside.
  3. Hard rubber on all four wheels. — Tires that are flat to the rim wear longer, leave no marks and are easy on floors. Anything soft won’t hold the weight.
  4. The small wheels cannot be that small. — When converted, the hand truck will swivel on the small wheels. If they are smaller than 3″  they will turn but they won’t handle weight. 4″ to 5″ minimum needs to be on the swivel caster to meet the weight rating.

Aluminum is a popular option for convertibles because it makes everything lighter. But think about that: lighter weight means lower capacity. And that’s fine if you’re hauling potato chips or something similarly light weight. But what if you’re moving cartons of cookware? Aluminum seriously degrades capacity.

Dutro’s convertible dollies are made of steel with hard rubber wheels all the way around. Made to last and to haul the heavy stuff.