Stevens MRT Magnesium Appliance Dolly, 500 lb, 41 lb Truck

The Stevens ESCORT MRT is a 41 lb magnesium appliance hand truck rated 500 lb, built for drivers who lift the truck in and out of a van all day. Magnesium I-beam side rails, 3/16 x 1-1/2 x 5 in, make it 10 lb lighter than the steel SRT while keeping the full ESCORT kit: roller bearing stair crawlers, an auto-recoil ratchet strap, vinyl and felt padding and 6 x 2 in cushion tread wheels. It is 60 in tall, 17 in wide and made in Augusta, Georgia.

Stevens MRT at a glance

• Load capacity500 lb
• Truck weight41 lb
• Height x width60 x 17 in
• FrameMagnesium I-beam, 3/16 x 1-1/2 x 5 in
• Wheels6 x 2 in cushion tread rubber
• Footplate5 x 24 in, 9 gauge

Jump to: full specifications · questions · what to expect

About the MRT

The MRT is the lightest fully featured ESCORT truck. Its side rails are magnesium I-beams, 3/16 x 1-1/2 x 5 in, which keeps the whole truck at 41 lb, 10 lb less than the steel SRT, while still carrying a 500 lb rating. If a driver lifts the truck in and out of a van at every stop, those 10 lb add up.

Everything else is ESCORT: 60 in tall and 17 in wide, 9 gauge 5 x 24 in footplate, 6 x 2 in cushion tread rubber wheels on self-lubricating bronze bushings, patented roller bearing crawler treads, a 3-ply 14 ft strap with ratchet tightener and automatic recoil, and non-marking vinyl and felt padding. Stevens lists it among its five best sellers and makes a matching silver big wheel attachment, the BWA-M.

How the MRT compares to other Stevens models

• MR: The economy magnesium truck: same frame, manual ratchet, no automatic strap recoil, 38 lb on Stevens' price list.
• MRT-2R: Two straps and two ratchets, 45 lb.
• MRT-66: 66 in magnesium truck for bulky loads, 48 lb.
• SRT: Steel, 51 lb, rated 750 lb, when the rating matters more than weight.

MRT features and what they do for you

• 41 lb truck. Magnesium I-beam side rails make it the light one to lift into a van, onto a liftgate or up a flight of stairs empty.
• 500 lb rating. Enough for most washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers and many refrigerators.
• ESCORT crawler treads. Roller bearing crawlers carry the load over stair edges.
• Auto-recoil ratchet. The 14 ft strap ratchets tight and winds itself back when released.
• Soft on finishes. Non-marking vinyl and protective felt padding.
• Matching big wheels. Stevens' BWA-M is made for its magnesium trucks; Stevens' own photo shows it on an MRT.

Who uses the MRT

• Single-driver appliance delivery: Van routes where the driver loads and unloads alone.
• Appliance repair technicians: Pulling ranges, dishwashers and washers out for service.
• Retail stores: Showroom moves and customer pickups.
• Multi-story apartments: Stair carries where a lighter truck saves the crew.

How to use the MRT

1. Lift it in and out. At 41 lb, one person can lift the MRT onto the truck bed. Carry it by the frame, not the strap.
2. Load and strap. Footplate under the appliance, strap at about two thirds of the height, ratchet tight against the felt and vinyl.
3. Tip and roll. Foot on the axle, pull back to the balance point, roll.
4. Stairs. Backward up the stairs with the crawlers on the edges; below the load on the way down. Remember the 500 lb rating; for heavier units use a steel truck.
5. Finish. Release the ratchet, let the strap recoil, lift the truck back onto the vehicle.

How ESCORT stair crawlers work

Behind each wheel is a crawler tread: an aluminum frame carrying a row of plastic roller bearings with a V-belt running over them. On flat ground the crawlers sit clear of the floor. On stairs, tip the truck to the balance point and the belt meets the step nosing. The belt rolls over the rollers, so the load glides from one step edge to the next instead of the wheels dropping off each tread.

Going up, the operator stands above the load, backs up the stairs and pulls. Going down, the operator stays below the load and lets the crawlers slide each edge while a helper steadies the top. Keep the strap tight and the load centered on the footplate the whole way.

What to expect from the MRT

Buyers of appliance and drum trucks most often mention these points in reviews. Here is how they apply to this model.

• The trade for 10 lb less truck is rating: 500 lb against 750 lb for the steel SRT. For heavy French door refrigerators and commercial units, choose steel.
• Lower the truck off a liftgate rather than dropping it. A bent rail takes the truck out of service.
• The 6 in wheels suit floors and pavement. For lawns and gravel, add the BWA-M big wheel attachment.
• The crawler treads make stairs controlled, not effortless. The operator still pulls or lowers the load one step at a time, so plan on a second person below the load on any stairs.
• A tight strap is what keeps an appliance on the truck. Ratchet it snug before you tip back, check it again at the top of the stairs, and replace a frayed or cut strap instead of knotting it.
• Stevens ships from Augusta, Georgia by FedEx in about 72 hours. It is not stocked in our Texas warehouse, so order ahead of the job.

Buying guidance

• Choose the MRT when truck weight is the problem and your loads stay under 500 lb.
• Choose the SRT or SRT-8 for heavier refrigerators, commercial units or rough handling.
• Choose the MR if you can do without automatic strap recoil and want the lightest Stevens magnesium truck (38 lb).
• Add the BWA-M for lawns and gravel.

What's in the box

• One Stevens ESCORT MRT magnesium appliance hand truck with one 3-ply, 2-piece, 14 ft strap and auto-recoil ratchet.
• Not included: BWA-M big wheel attachment and the repair kit.

Care and maintenance

• Magnesium is light but it is not steel. Do not use the MRT as a pry bar or drop it off a liftgate.
• Inspect the strap and replace it if cut or frayed.
• Clean the crawler treads after wet or sandy jobs.
• Replace worn felt and vinyl padding.
• Check wheels and axle; the 6 x 2 in wheel is a standard Stevens part.

Replacement parts

Stevens sells a repair kit for each model and individual parts from its parts list for every truck it builds. Send us the model number and the part you need and we will quote it. Call 844-439-4335.

Ordering and shipping

• Ships from Stevens. Stevens ships this item direct from Augusta, Georgia by FedEx, usually within 72 hours of your order, and emails tracking when it leaves. It is not stocked in our Mansfield, TX warehouse; allow about 72 hours plus FedEx transit.
• Shipping cost. Calculated at checkout from the shipping weight and your ZIP code.
• Your carrier account. Stevens can ship on your own UPS or FedEx account. Tell us the account number when you order.
• Fleet orders. Several trucks can ship together on a pallet; Stevens adds a small pallet charge. Ask for a quote.
• How to pay. Card, ACH, purchase order, and Net 30 for approved accounts. CasterHQ is BBB A+ rated.

About Stevens

Stevens Appliance Truck Company has built hand trucks in Augusta, Georgia since 1936 and describes itself as the oldest continuous hand truck maker in the United States. Every unit is built in Augusta with American-made components and labor.

The plant does its own CNC tube bending, press stamping, TIG and MIG welding and powder coating, then assembles and boxes each truck. Stevens builds more than 60 hand truck models and keeps a parts list for each one, so wear parts can be replaced instead of the whole truck.

Related: Stevens SRT, Stevens SRT-8, Stevens BWA-M, Stevens SRT-M-66. See every Stevens appliance truck.

Written by Jordan Wilson, CasterHQ · updated October 21, 2026 · 844-439-4335 · info@casterhq.com