Hand truck with pivotal retainer

A hand truck for carrying and transporting an object comprises a frame having a base and a back arranged in a generally L-shaped configuration. The frame is supported by at least a pair of wheels for rolling over the ground. An object may be placed on the base for using the hand truck to move the object. A retainer has a loading position in which the retainer is sufficiently clear of the base to allow the object to be slid onto the base. After the object is slid onto the base, the retainer may be raised to a transport position in which the retainer at least partially encircles the object to hold the retainer on the base. The retainer may be releasably latched in the transport position.