An L-shaped extender for a hand truck including a support brace and an extension member extending transversely therefrom, the L-shaped extender provided with a pivotal connection for connecting the vertical support brace to the axle of a hand truck. The extender is configured to position the extension member to a folded position behind the side supporting surface of the hand truck and alternatively to a carrying position with the extension member supported on the blade of the hand truck. The extension member is tapered to a thin forward edge for maneuvering the forward edge of the extender under a load.