WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW TO SELECT THE BEST FOLDING HAND TRUCK

1. Uses

You don't need a heavy-duty dolly if you'll only ever use it for personal items weighing no more than 110 pounds or so. If you intend to move heavy objects weighing more than 500 pounds, you will require something entirely different. There are numerous factors to consider when choosing the best folding hand truck. However, you can simplify it by planning which types of items will be carried by this hand truck; whether it will be used at work or at home; how frequently you intend to use it; and where and how you intend to use it—climbing stairs, inside only, outside only, or both.

2. Weight Capacity

Using an industrial trolley to transport a small package could be a waste of money. Each hand truck has a specific loading capacity for a specific amount of weight. The general loading capacity of this material handling equipment is divided into three levels. 

Light-duty tasks with a loading capacity of less than 100 kg is appropriate for household use, traveling luggage, and so on. 
The collapsible dolly cart can be used for medium-duty tasks weighing less than 200 kg in commercial applications such as offices, restaurants, or laboratories.  
A heavy-duty folding hand truck with a loading capacity of more than 200 kg may be appropriate for industrial applications such as machinery, construction, and warehouses.
It is not always true that the greater the weight capacity, the easier it is to move the items. It is critical to select the appropriate one with a suitable loading capacity.

3. Material

The folding hand truck is made primarily of steel, aluminum, or stainless steel. Steel is long-lasting, rust-resistant, and inexpensive, whereas aluminum is lighter but less long-lasting and expensive. The steel frame and aluminum nose plate are standard on the combination model. The primary distinction between aluminum and steel is that aluminum is metal, while steel is a metal alloy. The following table is our comparison of 3 types of metals normally used to build hand trucks: Steel, Inox Steel, and Aluminum.

4. Wheels

Together with the frame and nose plate, wheels are among the core components that construct an efficient folding hand truck. There are several options for wheels/tires. Air-filled tires provide a cushion for your load when going over bumps, and they also make getting upstairs and over curbs easier. The disadvantage is that air-filled tires do not roll as well under full load on hard surfaces, and you must maintain the rated pressure. Check out our reviews of the best bike pump and best air compressor to see our suggestions for quick ways to fill a flat tire.

• Pneumatic wheels, which contain air, provide cushioning for the load. This makes maneuvering the truck upstairs and over curves more convenient. But you’ll need to keep filling the tires with air and keep them at the correct pressure. These tires are excellent for uneven ground like gravel.
• Solid wheels refer to wheel assemblies that do not have hollow or empty spaces between the tire and wheel. These usually have higher load capacities than a similar pneumatic or semi-rigid wheel; however, this comes at the disadvantage of a harsher ride.
• Plastic wheels will support the weight capacity of the folding hand truck, but after a while, the sun and changes in temperature will degrade the quality of the tires.
• Mold-on rubber wheels are lightweight and durable and work nicely on the pavement.
• Microcellular foam wheels have no air and will never go flat.
• Balloon cushion tires are lightweight and provide shock absorption.

5. Other factors

• Folding function:  Check whether a hand truck that collapses and folds small enough to fit in the trunk of a car or comes in handy when you need to use it away from home. 
• Nose extension:  Depending on the size of the item to be moved, some nose plates/platforms can be expanded to accommodate larger objects.
• Height of Hand Truck: Taller folding hand trucks help to avoid back pain. If you choose a hand truck that is too short in height, you need to bend your back down to push, which may cause back pain even in a short period of time.

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