You would think after moving nine times in 23 years of marriage, we’d be experts at it by now. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I can tell you that we’ve learned a few things along the way. One of them is that a good set of moving straps can make a surprisingly big difference.
In just the last nine years, we’ve moved four times. That’s a lot of boxes, furniture, appliances, aching muscles, and wondering why on earth we own so much stuff.
My poor husband and sons have done the brunt of the really heavy lifting over the years. Although, I feel like I should point out that I definitely did my fair share since I was usually the one packing everything!
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After about our fourth move, I discovered the Shoulder Dolly Moving Straps on Amazon. I really wish I’d found them sooner.
Why These Moving Straps Became One of My Favorite Finds
Before we bought our Shoulder Dolly moving straps, moving something really heavy usually meant calling several people over to help.
Large pieces of furniture were awkward. Appliances were heavy. And even when you had enough people, there was always that worry about someone hurting their back.
These straps completely changed that for us.
Now my husband and one of my sons can move things that used to require several people. They can get a heavy or awkward piece moved surprisingly quickly, and they aren’t putting the same kind of strain on their backs that they did before.
After as many moves as we’ve made, anything that makes moving easier earns a permanent place on my Favorite Finds list.
How Shoulder Dolly Moving Straps Work
The Shoulder Dolly is made for two people. Each person wears a harness, and a heavy-duty strap runs underneath the piece you’re moving.
Instead of relying mostly on your arms and back, the system is designed so you can stay more upright and use your legs and shoulders to help lift the load.
It takes a little bit of time the first time you use them to figure out how to position and adjust everything properly. Once you’ve got the hang of it, though, they’re pretty simple to use.
We’ve found them especially helpful for the big, bulky things that are difficult to get a good grip on.
A few things I especially like about them:
- Two people can handle things that previously took several helpers.
- They’re adjustable for different-sized items and movers.
- They make bulky furniture much easier to manage.
- They help take some of the strain off your back and arms.
- They’re inexpensive compared with what we’ve spent on all the other supplies involved in moving.
Of course, moving straps don’t magically make something lightweight, and you still need to use good judgment about what you can safely lift. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using them, communicate with the person you’re lifting with, and don’t attempt something that’s beyond your physical abilities.
Apparently We’re Not the Only Ones Who Love Them
One thing I noticed when looking at the Shoulder Dolly moving straps on Amazon is just how many people have reviewed them.
At the time I checked, they had nearly 2,700 global ratings, with the overwhelming majority being four- and five-star ratings.
A common theme in the reviews sounds very familiar to me. People talk about how much easier the straps make it to move heavy, oversized, and awkward furniture and appliances. Many also mention how much they appreciate not putting as much strain on their backs.
That’s certainly been our experience.
There are some mixed comments about stability, which is worth mentioning. How well they work can depend on the shape and size of the object, how the strap is positioned, and how well the two people lifting communicate with each other. They’re a tool, not a replacement for careful lifting.
Are These Moving Straps Worth Buying?
For us, absolutely.
We’ve owned a lot of things over the years that seemed useful when we bought them and eventually ended up forgotten in a closet or garage.
These aren’t one of them.
If you’re moving, helping your kids move, rearranging heavy furniture, or occasionally hauling large appliances or bulky items, I think the Shoulder Dolly moving straps are well worth having around.
And considering we’ve moved nine times, I feel like we’ve given them a pretty good test.
I’m hoping we won’t be putting ours through another full-house move anytime soon. But if we do, they’re definitely coming with us.
Have you ever bought one inexpensive tool that made a job so much easier that you wished you’d had it years earlier?
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