You can rent a hand truck from moving truck companies, home improvement centers, hardware stores, general equipment rental businesses, and local moving supply shops. Most locations offer daily or hourly rates for basic moving jobs. Availability, pricing, and specific models vary by store, so it pays to check ahead.
Whether you need to move heavy appliances, clear out a garage, or transport stacks of moving boxes, renting is an easy way to get the right tool without paying full retail price.
Where Can You Rent a Hand Truck?
Finding a hand truck rental takes only a quick search or phone call once you know which businesses stock them.
Moving Truck Rental Companies
Companies that rent moving trucks, vans, and cargo trailers often rent moving equipment. Adding a hand truck to your reservation is practical if you already plan to rent a vehicle. Keep in mind that individual truck branches maintain different inventory levels, so reserve your equipment when booking your truck.
Home Improvement and Hardware Stores
Many large home improvement centers and independent hardware stores run dedicated tool rental counters. These counters regularly carry material handling tools for residential projects. Inventory varies widely between individual store locations, so check online stock or call the service desk first.
Equipment Rental Stores
General equipment and commercial rental yards typically offer the widest selection of material handling tools. Along with basic two wheel models, you can often find heavy duty hand trucks, convertible models, and specialized moving carts. These shops are ideal when you need a model with a higher weight rating.
Moving Supply and Moving Equipment Companies
Businesses that specialize strictly in moving supplies, storage units, and packing materials sometimes rent hand trucks on their own. These shops cater directly to people moving homes, so their equipment is well suited for household furniture and boxes.
Local Tool Rental Businesses
Independent tool rental shops serve local contractors and homeowners. They are often a convenient choice for short term jobs, offering flexible half day or full day rates.
What Types of Hand Trucks Can You Rent?
Rental locations stock several designs depending on the type of load you need to move.
- Standard Two Wheel Hand Truck: The classic upright frame. Ideal for stacking boxes, moving small furniture, and handling general household goods. If you are new to these tools, review our guide on What Is a Hand Truck? to learn the basics.
- Appliance Dolly: Built with a taller frame, integrated strap systems, and protective padding. Designed specifically to move refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ranges safely.
- Heavy Duty Hand Truck: Features reinforced frames and higher weight ratings for commercial loads or dense machinery.
- Convertible Hand Truck: Shifts between a vertical two wheel hand truck and a horizontal four wheel platform cart. For a deeper breakdown of styles, see our guide on 2 Wheel vs 4 Wheel Hand Trucks.
- Four Wheel Platform Cart: A flat rolling deck designed to move wide, bulky items smoothly over level floors.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Hand Truck?
Typically it costs $7 to $25 per day to rent a standard hand truck, depending on your location, the type of equipment, and how long you keep it. Standard rental periods usually include:
| Provider | Utility Hand Truck (Standard) | Appliance Dolly (Heavy Duty / Straps) | Rental Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | $7.00 | $10.00 | Flat Daily Rate (In-town) |
| The Home Depot | $18.00 (4 hours) / $25.00 (Day) | $21.00 (4 hours) / $30.00 (Day) | Tiered Time Slots |
| Lowe’s | $12.00 – $18.00 | $18.00 – $25.00 | Daily Rate |
| Sunbelt Rentals | $15.00 – $20.00 | $20.00 – $30.00 | Daily Rate |
Basic two wheel hand trucks cost less to rent than heavy duty appliance dollies. Before leaving the rental counter, confirm the total price, required security deposit, return deadlines, and potential late return fees.
What to Check Before Renting a Hand Truck?
Always inspect rental equipment before loading it into your vehicle.
- Weight Capacity: Check the manufacturer rating badge on the frame. Ensure the load rating exceeds the weight of your heaviest item. Never exceed the rated limit. Read our Hand Truck Weight Capacity Guide for help estimating load weights.
- Wheel Type: Inspect the tires. Pneumatic air filled tires roll smoothly over outdoor turf and gravel, while solid or flat free rubber tires work best on smooth indoor surfaces. Read our breakdown on Pneumatic vs Flat Free Tires to choose the right match.
- Toe Plate: Make sure the nose plate is completely flat, straight, and deep enough to sit securely beneath your items.
- Overall Condition: Check the frame welds, axle straightness, handle grips, and any attached tie down straps. Refuse equipment that shows structural cracks or severe bends.
- Rental Terms: Verify the exact return time, cleaning requirements, and damage policies.
Where to Rent a Hand Truck for Moving?
When moving houses or apartments, moving truck rental companies and dedicated moving supply shops are the best places to look. They let you pick up boxes, moving blankets, and moving equipment in a single trip. A standard hand truck handles stacks of packed boxes quickly, which saves your back and speeds up the move.
Where to Rent an Appliance Dolly?
Rent an appliance dolly from equipment rental stores, home improvement centers, or moving vehicle rental outlets. Large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines are too heavy and bulky for standard hand trucks. Appliance dollies include heavy duty straps to lock the machine tightly against the padded frame.
Some models feature specialized stair climbing tracks on the back of the frame to help guide heavy loads down steps. For safe techniques, read our walkthrough on How to Move a Refrigerator With Hand Truck.
How to Find a Hand Truck Rental Near You?
To find rental options in your neighborhood, search for:
- “hand truck rental near me”
- “appliance dolly rental near me”
- “tool rental near me”
- “moving equipment rental [your city name]”
Call the store before driving over. Ask the clerk to confirm that the exact equipment type is in stock, confirm the deposit requirements, and reserve it under your name.
Renting vs Buying a Hand Truck
| Situation | Better Choice |
| One time home move | Rent |
| Moving a single appliance | Rent |
| Occasional weekend yard work | Rent |
| Regular DIY projects | Buy |
| Frequent home moves | Buy |
| Daily business or delivery work | Buy |
If you only need moving equipment once every few years, renting saves money and storage space. If you manage rental properties, handle frequent deliveries, or work regularly in a shop, buying a quality hand truck quickly pays for itself.
What to Bring When Renting a Hand Truck?
Most rental businesses require:
- A valid government issued photo ID
- A major credit card for the deposit and rental charge
- A signed rental agreement
- A vehicle large enough to transport the hand truck safely
Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Truck Rentals
Yes. Daily 24 hour rentals are the most common rental period offered by tool yards, hardware stores, and moving supply businesses.
Yes. Appliance dollies are widely stocked by equipment rental yards and truck rental businesses. They feature built in straps to secure large kitchen and laundry appliances safely.
Yes. Moving truck businesses and home centers regularly rent hand trucks to customers moving apartments, offices, and homes.
Many national home centers and independent hardware stores operate tool rental counters that stock hand trucks, though inventory varies by branch.
Specialized stair climbing hand trucks are available at select commercial equipment rental businesses. They are less common than standard models, so call ahead to check availability. If you are taking standard models on steps, check our safety guide on How to Use a Hand Truck on Stairs.
Renting is cheaper for one off moves and short weekend jobs. Buying is more cost effective if you expect to use the tool multiple times a year.
