USA Trolleys FAQ
Technical Specs, Selection Guide & Support
Selecting the right trolley depends on your installation environment, specifically regarding internal fasteners (nuts/bolts) within the strut channel.
Standard Wheel Models- Wheel Size: 7/8" (22mm).
- Head Clearance: Provides ~0.4" of head height clearance.
- Ideal For: Applications where the strut channel contains internal fasteners (like nuts on a threaded rod) that could interfere with larger wheels.
- Wheel Size: 1-3/16" (30.2mm).
- Fitment: Takes up the full inside height of the strut channel.
- Head Clearance: Reduced clearance (~0.275") because the plate sits higher in the channel.
- Ideal For: Heavy-duty applications requiring maximum wheel diameter for stability, provided there is minimal internal obstruction within the strut channel.
A strut channel trolley (also called an Unistrut wheel cart or overhead rail slider) is a precision-engineered rolling assembly that mounts to standard metal framing channels. They enable smooth horizontal, vertical, and top-down movement of loads along fixed tracks — ideal for assembly lines, workshop tool storage, sliding doors, theater rigging, and warehouse material handling.
All of our trolleys are designed to fit standard 1-5/8" (41mm) strut channels. This is the universal dimension for Unistrut, Superstrut, P-series, and most other metal framing systems used in industrial and construction applications.
All USA Trolley products are compatible with major brand systems:
- Unistrut
- Superstrut
- Alumastrut
Best Performance: Our trolleys are most snug in 12GA Unistrut (P1000) due to optimal metal thickness.
Thinner gauge options:
- 14GA (P1100) — Acceptable with slightly more movement
- 16GA — Has thinner metal causing slightly more rocking on trolley ends
Vertical Applications: For 6, 12, and 16 wheel trolleys, 12GA Unistrut (P1000) provides the tightest tolerance to hold the strut channel lip securely, preventing rocking and grabbing on both sides.
The defining feature of these models is the inclusion of outside side-bearing rollers.
- Lip Clamping: These trolleys are designed to hold the outer lip of the strut channel.
- Stability: This design minimizes end-to-end rocking and prevents the trolley from falling into the channel.
- Applications: Essential for vertical applications (e.g., elevators, sliding doors), top-down tracking systems, or environments where internal strut channel fasteners are present that would block standard wheels.
V2 and V3 refer to product revision levels. Each iteration includes refinements to wheel geometry, bearing placement, or frame design based on customer feedback. All revisions maintain full compatibility with standard 1-5/8" channels.
We ship worldwide from our McHenry, Illinois facility. Our online store supports delivery to 26+ countries including Canada, Australia, the UK, EU nations (Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, etc.), Japan, South Korea, and many more.
We offer free shipping on all orders over $500. Standard processing is 1-3 business days. Transit times vary by destination and are calculated at checkout based on available carriers.
We offer tiered pricing for bulk orders:
- 50+ units — 9% off your order
- 150+ units — 17% off your order
Enter USAPROUD at checkout to receive an additional 5% off your entire order. This code stacks with our volume discounts — so you can combine it with the 9% or 17% bulk pricing for maximum savings.
Our strut channel trolleys are used across many industrial sectors:
- Automotive — transporting engine blocks, transmissions, and assembly line components
- Construction — managing suspended pipes, conduit, and cables
- Workshops & Factories — sliding tool panels on workbenches, die handling, hose management, welding screens, pneumatic equipment
- Warehouses — overhead rail movement of goods and materials
- Theatrical & Events — curtains, backdrops, dividers, and rigging
Absolutely. Our trolleys can be ganged (connected) side-by-side or end-to-end to achieve greater load capacity and span larger widths.
- This is ideal for moving heavy dies, large panels, or specialized equipment that requires distributed weight support.
- Simple connecting hardware allows for quick configuration changes.
Hanging-Based TrackingTrolleys glide along channels mounted parallel to the ground, with the trolley suspended beneath the channel web. This configuration is standard for overhead rails and ceiling-mounted tracks — the most common setup in assembly lines and workshops.Top-Down (Rollercoaster) TrackingThe trolley clamps over the outer lip of the strut channel, with side-bearing rollers gripping the flange from above. This overhang configuration delivers enhanced lateral stability, minimizes end-to-end rocking, and is ideal for applications where positive retention beneath the channel is required.Vertical TrackingModels move along channels mounted perpendicular to the floor, traveling up or down a track. Essential for vertical applications such as sliding doors, elevators, and lift mechanisms.
Weight capacity varies by model:
- Aluminum models (e.g., 2-Wheel) — rated for 100 lbs, tested up to 200 lbs
- Metal frame models — higher capacities depending on wheel count; more wheels distribute load more evenly
- Ganging multiple trolleys together increases total capacity proportionally
Yes, we offer custom manufacturing capabilities.
- We can adjust wheel diameters and plate widths for non-standard strut channels.
- We can modify bearing configurations based on load requirements.
Every trolley is handmade in McHenry, Illinois — right here in the Midwest. We take pride in American manufacturing and locally crafted quality.
Contact Us
- Contact Form (Preferred): Visit our contact page
- Phone: (815) 209-9796
- Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club
- Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Shop Pay
- European methods: Bancontact (Belgium), iDEAL Wero (Netherlands)