Table & Chair Carts & Caddies

Lugging a bulky table and chairs back to storage is never fun, and it will likely sound even worse at the end of a long night. But stacking up a dozen folding tables and banquet chairs for one easy cart ride? Perfect! A table cart or chair cart can be a party saver, so follow these guidelines and pick the perfect cart for your party needs.

1. When choosing a table cart, consider the type of tables you'll be using. Round and oval tables require a table cart designed for their particular curved frames, while standard table carts will be suitable for square and rectangular tables.

2. Table carts are designed for either flat stacking or edge stacking. Typically, more tables can be loaded up onto flat-stacking table caddies than edge-stacking carts.

3. Check out the wheels. You'll need to be able to maneuver easily, so consider the surface you'll likely be wheeling your table cart across. Make sure to choose a table cart with wheels that fit the job. Hard rubber wheels work best on hard surfaces, while plastic wheels perform well on uneven ground.

4. Consider the carrying capacity of each table cart. Now figure out how many tables you need to move. If you have a limited number of people helping you set up and break down the party, calculate how many tables will fill up one cart. Work out how many trips you'll need to make, and decide how many is too many.

5. Just as table carts are specific to table shape, chair carts generally cater to two styles: folding chairs and stacking chairs. In most cases, chair carts will be able to fit more folding chairs than stacking chairs. If storage space is limited, keep that in mind before purchasing your chairs.

6. Chair carts for folding chairs can be designed for flat stacking or upright/edge stacking. Unlike with tables, edge stacking chair carts will often hold more chairs than a flat stacking model.

7. The purpose of a chair cart is to reduce your workload, so it makes sense to select a chair cart with handles that you find most comfortable. Most stacking chair carts are constructed in a moving dolly style with a single handle in back. However, other stacking chair carts don't have a handle at all. Instead, you use the stacked chairs as a handle as they're loaded.

8. Folding chair carts follow a standard design of a handle on the end, though extended versions feature an extra handle as a brace and steering aid. If your storage room is tall and narrow, a two-tiered chair caddie adds an extra level of convenience.

9. Make sure whichever table cart or chair cart you choose has a sturdy frame and can carry a decent amount of weight. Most importantly, don't be afraid of overbuying. If an extra table or chair cart means finishing cleanup a little early, just think of it as more time to spend with your guests.