DIY Moving Equipment: Do I Need Trolleys and Straps for Safety?

Moving Equipment Hire: The DIY Mover’s Guide to a Safer, Easier Move

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Key takeaways

• Hire the right tools—trolleys and straps—to prevent injuries and damage.
• Use straps to lift; use trolleys to move items safely over distance.
• Choose forearm straps for bulky-but-manageable items; shoulder straps for the heaviest loads.
• Secure loads with ratchet straps and test stability before rolling.
• For stairs, tight corners, and top-heavy furniture, combine straps and a trolley.
• Communicate, lift with your legs, and keep your back straight at all times.

The thought of a DIY move often brings a mix of dread and determination. You’re ready to save money, but at what cost? At Go With The Gecko, we’ve spent years helping thousands of Australians move, and we’ve seen the common pitfalls: the debilitating back injury from a single wrong lift, the deep scratch across new hardwood floors, or the sheer physical exhaustion that turns a new beginning into a painful ordeal.

But there’s a secret that separates a stressful DIY move from a smooth one, and it’s what professionals rely on every single day: using the right tools for the job. Hiring professional moving equipment is one of the best investments you can make in your move.

This expert guide will walk you through the essential moving equipment you need to hire. We’ll focus on the two most crucial tools—moving trolleys and straps—explaining what they are, when to use each, and how to use them to move heavy items with confidence, safety, and efficiency.

Why Hiring Moving Equipment is Non-Negotiable for a DIY Move

Relying on brute force is a recipe for disaster. From our first-hand experience, hiring the right tools is a critical investment in your safety, your time, and the protection of your belongings.

• Prevent Serious Injury: In our experience, the most common injury we see in DIY movers is back strain from improper lifting. Lifting heavy, awkward furniture puts immense, unsafe pressure on your spine. Professional moving equipment like straps and trolleys is ergonomically designed to help you use correct body mechanics. They encourage you to engage your strongest muscles (your legs and shoulders) while keeping your back straight and protected. Safety Note: If you have pre-existing back or joint issues, consult a health professional before attempting to lift heavy items, even with equipment.
• Move Faster and with Less Effort: Imagine making a heavy washing machine feel up to two-thirds lighter. That’s the power of leverage you get from professional-grade moving straps. A moving trolley can turn a gruelling, two-person carry from the house to the truck into a quick, one-person job that takes a fraction of the time. You’ll save hours and an incredible amount of physical energy.
• Protect Your Belongings and Your Home: A momentary loss of grip can lead to costly damage. Dropped furniture means dings and broken items; scraped walls and floors can mean losing your bond or facing expensive repairs. Moving equipment gives you superior control. A trolley provides a stable, wheeled platform, while straps give you a secure grip, drastically reducing the risk of accidental drops. When you weigh the minor cost of hiring equipment against potential medical bills or repair costs, the choice is clear.

The Essentials: Moving Straps vs. Moving Trolleys

Understanding the difference between moving straps and trolleys—and how they work together as a system—is key to an efficient move. This section breaks down what you need to know.

What Are Moving Trolleys (Dollies)?

A moving trolley, often called a dolly, is a wheeled platform designed to bear the full weight of heavy items so you don’t have to. They are the workhorses of any professional move. While there are various types, the two you’ll most likely need are:

• Appliance Trolleys: Tall, L-shaped, upright models with a built-in strap, specifically designed for fridges, washing machines, and tall cabinets.
• Flat Trolleys (or Furniture Dollies): Square, four-wheeled platforms ideal for moving stacked boxes, large pot plants, or low-set furniture.

Key Benefit: Trolleys are best for moving heavy items over flat surfaces and for longer distances, such as from your living room to the moving truck parked down the driveway.

What Are Moving Straps?

Moving straps are heavy-duty, reinforced strips of webbing that use the principles of leverage to make lifting easier and safer. Instead of relying on hand and forearm grip strength, they distribute the weight across larger, stronger muscle groups. There are two main types you’ll encounter when hiring:

• Forearm Forklift Straps: These are looped under the object and secured on each of the two lifters’ forearms. They are excellent for bulky but manageable items like couches, dressers, and mattresses. A standard set can typically handle up to 270 kg (600 lb).
• Shoulder Dolly Straps: These use a full-body harness that places the load directly onto your shoulders and legs. This advanced design is for the heaviest items, allowing you to use your body’s most powerful muscles for the lift.

Key Benefit: Straps are essential for lifting items up and down stairs, navigating tight corners where a trolley won’t fit, and lifting furniture onto and off a trolley or into the truck.

Straps vs. Trolleys: When to Use Each (and Why You Need Both)

A common mistake DIY movers make is thinking it’s an “either/or” choice. In reality, straps and trolleys are a team. You use straps to lift, and a trolley to move. Here’s a quick guide our experts use to choose the right tool for the job.

How to Use Your Hired Moving Equipment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Having the right equipment is only half the battle; using it correctly is what guarantees safety. Follow these steps used by professional movers every day.

How to Safely Use Forearm Forklift Moving Straps

1. Position the Strap: With your partner, carefully tip the item and slide the main lifting strap underneath. For maximum stability, we strongly recommend arranging the strap in an “X-pattern.” This creates two points of contact, preventing the item from tipping forward or backward during the carry.
2. Secure the Straps: Both lifters should squat down, keeping their backs straight. Thread the end of the strap through one of the designated loops on your forearm harness. Choose the loop that allows you to maintain a slight bend in your elbows when standing. Your arms should be supporting, not pulling.
3. Communicate and Lift: This is the most critical step. Designate one person to lead the count. On “three,” lift together by pushing up with your legs. Never lift with your back. Keep your core engaged and communicate constantly throughout the carry.

How to Secure Furniture on a Moving Trolley

A wobbly load is an accident waiting to happen. Mastering this technique is essential for protecting your belongings.

1. Centre the Item: Carefully use straps or a two-person lift to place the item on the trolley. Ensure its centre of gravity is low and directly over the trolley’s axle to prevent tipping.
2. Strap It Down: Use a ratchet strap to secure the item tightly to the trolley’s frame. Wrap the strap completely around the item and the vertical frame of the trolley. Thread the strap through the ratchet mechanism, pull all the slack out by hand, and then crank the handle until the item is firmly held. Do not over-tighten, as this can damage wooden furniture.
3. Test for Stability: Before moving, tilt the trolley back into its rolling position. Give it a gentle shake. The item should feel like a single, solid unit with the trolley. If it wobbles, set it back down and tighten or reposition the straps.

Pro Tips: Tackling Difficult Items with the Right Equipment

From our experience, some items present unique challenges. Here’s how to tackle them like a pro.

Moving a Washing Machine or Fridge

• Expert Tip: Before you begin, ensure the appliance is completely empty, disconnected, and drained to prevent leaks and reduce weight.
• Recommended Equipment: Appliance Trolley + Ratchet Straps.
• Technique: An appliance trolley is non-negotiable. Its tall frame and integrated strap are designed for these items. A critical rule is to keep refrigerators and freezers as upright as possible during the move to protect the compressor and coolant lines.

Moving a Mattress

• Expert Tip: We recommend using a sealable mattress bag. It not only keeps the mattress clean but also provides a less slippery surface for the straps to grip.
• Recommended Equipment: Forearm Forklift Straps.
• Technique: A mattress isn’t heavy, but its floppiness makes it incredibly awkward. Straps provide a firm “handle,” giving you the control needed to navigate tight doorways and stairs without the mattress buckling.

Moving a Tall Dresser or Cabinet

• Expert Tip: Remove all drawers first. This dramatically reduces the overall weight and, more importantly, lowers the item’s centre of gravity, making it far less likely to tip over.
• Recommended Equipment: Shoulder Dolly Straps + Moving Trolley.
• Technique: For tall, top-heavy items, you need both lifting power and transport stability. Use shoulder dolly straps for the heavy lift onto a moving trolley, then secure it tightly before rolling it away. This combination is the safest way to manage the high centre of gravity.

Conclusion: Your Next Move, Made Easier

Your DIY move doesn’t have to be a painful, damaging, or exhausting experience. A small investment in hiring the right moving equipment is a massive investment in your personal safety, the protection of your belongings, and your overall peace of mind.

By combining the smart lifting power of moving straps with the rolling efficiency of a moving trolley, you can handle even the heaviest furniture with the confidence of a professional. Ready to make your DIY move smarter, not harder? Explore Go With The Gecko’s range of professional-grade moving trolleys, straps, and complete moving packages. Our team is here to help you get everything you need for a safer, easier move today.

Your Moving Equipment Hire FAQ

Are moving straps really worth it?

Absolutely. In our professional opinion, they are the single most effective tool for preventing serious back injuries during a move. By using leverage, they can make bulky loads feel up to 66% lighter, allowing you to lift far more safely and with significantly less strain.

How much weight can moving straps hold?

This varies by type. Common forearm models like the Forearm Forklift are typically rated for a combined weight of up to 270 kg (600 lb). However, it is crucial that you always check the manufacturer’s specifications on the specific equipment you hire. Never assume the capacity, and always operate well within its safe working load limit.

What is the difference between a shoulder dolly and a forearm forklift?

The main difference is where they distribute the weight. A forearm forklift uses your arms and shoulders, which is excellent for controlling bulky but lighter items like sofas. A shoulder dolly uses a full-body harness to transfer the weight directly to your body’s strongest muscles—your shoulders and legs. This makes it the superior and safer choice for extremely heavy items like appliances, pianos, or solid wood cabinets.