Utility Carts, Hand Trucks and Garage Accessories

Capacity, wheels and folding: carts and hand trucks

A cart or hand truck is chosen by capacity, size and wheels. Capacity is the rated load, and the load should sit over the axle, not out at the edge. Pneumatic tires roll over cracks, curbs and gravel and need air, while solid or semi-pneumatic wheels never go flat but ride harder. Check the deck or nose-plate size against your loads, the handle height for your own comfort, and whether the unit folds flat for storage.

Choose the style by the loads. A two-wheel hand truck suits boxes and appliances, a platform cart carries long or awkward items, and a tiered utility cart holds tools and parts at working height. Casters matter on a utility cart: swivel casters turn easily, and locking casters hold it still on a sloped floor.

Oil drain pans, picks, magnets and cleaners

The garage accessories in this category follow simple size rules. An oil drain pan should hold more than the oil you drain, so compare its capacity with your engine's oil capacity from the owner's manual, and a low profile fits under cars with little clearance. Magnetic pickup tools list a pulling force in pounds, which is measured under ideal conditions and drops with rust, distance and thin metal.

Hook and pick tools, long hose picks and similar hand tools are sized by length and tip shape, so match the tip to the job, such as removing O-rings or retrieving a hose. Parts cleaners and degreasers list a base, such as solvent, water or plant-based, and the surfaces they suit; check that the cleaner is safe for the plastics and rubber on the part, and use gloves and ventilation.

Questions about Utility Carts, Hand Trucks and Garage Accessories

What capacity hand truck do I need?

Choose a rating above the heaviest load you expect, with a margin, and check that the nose plate is wide enough for the item. Heavy loads call for pneumatic tires and a sturdy frame. The rating assumes the load sits near the axle, not tipped far back.

How big should an oil drain pan be?

It should hold comfortably more than your engine's oil capacity, so the pan does not overflow when you pull the plug. Look up the capacity in your owner's manual, add a margin, and check that the pan is low enough to fit under the vehicle and has a spout for pouring.

Pneumatic or solid wheels for a cart?

On smooth concrete, solid wheels are fine and never need air. Pneumatic wheels ride more softly over cracks, curbs and gravel outdoors, but they can go flat and need pressure checks. If you move loads outside, pick pneumatic; for indoor use, solid is usually enough.