Stevens SRT-8 Appliance Hand Truck, 800 lb, Stair Climbing

The Stevens ESCORT SRT-8 is an 800 lb steel appliance hand truck for delivery crews who cross gravel, grass and curbs on the way to the door. It stands 60 in tall on a 1 in x 14 gauge steel tube frame, rolls on 8 x 2-1/2 in solid rubber wheels that cannot go flat, and takes stairs on Stevens' patented roller bearing crawler treads. The truck weighs 53 lb, is built in Augusta, Georgia, and ships from Stevens by FedEx in about 72 hours.

Stevens SRT-8 at a glance

• Load capacity800 lb
• Height x width60 x 16 in
• Frame1 in x 14 gauge steel tube
• Wheels8 x 2-1/2 in solid rubber, ball bearing
• Footplate5 x 24 in, 9 gauge steel
• Truck weight53 lb

Jump to: full specifications · questions · what to expect

About the SRT-8

The SRT-8 is the steel ESCORT appliance truck built for the stretch between the delivery truck and the front door. It is rated 800 lb, stands 60 in tall and rides on 8 x 2-1/2 in solid rubber wheels. Those wheels are 2 in taller than the 6 in wheels on the standard SRT, which lifts the footplate and lets the truck roll over curbs, driveway seams, gravel and grass without digging in.

Stevens lists the SRT-8 first among its best sellers. The frame is 1 in x 14 gauge steel tube, a heavier tube than the 3/4 in tube on the SRT, and the footplate is 9 gauge steel, 5 x 24 in. Like every ESCORT truck it carries Stevens' patented roller bearing crawler treads behind the wheels for stairs, a ratchet strap tightener with automatic strap recoil, and non-marking SNAPLOK vinyl bumpers on the uprights.

How the SRT-8 compares to other Stevens models

• SRT: Same 60 in height and stair crawlers, but 3/4 in tube, 6 x 2 in cushion tread wheels and a 750 lb rating. $30.78 less at Stevens list. Pick it if your routes end on pavement and finished floors.
• SRT-8HD and SRT-8-2R: Stevens' price list carries a heavier HD version and a double ratchet (2R) version of the SRT-8. We can order either.
• MRT: Magnesium frame, 41 lb against 53 lb, rated 500 lb. Pick it when one person lifts the truck into a van all day.
• SRT-M-66: For vending machines and coolers: kickout casters carry the load on four wheels, rated 1,200 lb.

SRT-8 features and what they do for you

• 8 in wheels for rough ground. 8 x 2-1/2 in solid rubber wheels on ball bearings (Stevens part W-19). They will not go flat, and the extra diameter clears thresholds, gravel and lawn edges.
• Heavier frame tube. 1 in x 14 gauge steel tube, redesigned for the SRT-8, carries an 800 lb rating, the highest of Stevens' two-wheel steel trucks we list.
• ESCORT stair crawlers. Aluminum crawler treads with plastic roller bearings and a V-belt sit behind the wheels. On stairs the belt rides the step edges, so the load glides up or down instead of dropping off each tread.
• Auto-recoil ratchet. An offset ratchet tightener pulls the 14 ft strap tight. When you release it, the strap winds itself back so it does not drag or tangle.
• Protects the appliance. Non-marking SNAPLOK vinyl bumpers run up the uprights so stainless and painted panels never touch bare steel.

Who uses the SRT-8

• Appliance retailers and installers: Refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges and dishwashers from the liftgate into the kitchen, including porch steps.
• Residential movers: Gravel driveways, lawns and side yards where 6 in wheels sink.
• HVAC and plumbing contractors: Water heaters and condensing units within the 800 lb rating, up and down basement stairs.
• Rural delivery routes: Unpaved approaches and job sites with no sidewalk.

How to use the SRT-8

1. Set the truck. Stand the truck square to the appliance and slide the 5 x 24 in footplate under the base. On a refrigerator, tape the doors shut and unplug the water line first.
2. Strap it. Wrap the 3-ply strap around the appliance at about two thirds of its height, hook it, and work the ratchet handle until the cabinet is tight against the vinyl bumpers.
3. Tip to balance. Put a foot on the axle, pull the handles back and find the balance point where the load sits over the wheels. You should be steering, not lifting.
4. Roll the route. Take curbs and thresholds straight on and keep the load at the balance point.
5. Climb the stairs. Going up, back up the stairs and pull; the crawler belt takes the step edges. Going down, go first with the truck below you and let the crawlers slide each edge. Use a second person below the load on heavy appliances.
6. Release. Stand the truck up, pull the ratchet release, and the strap recoils on its own.

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 SRT-8

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

• Solid rubber wheels never go flat, but they ride firmer than air tires on rough pavement. If most of your route is lawn or sand, pair a steel truck with a big wheel attachment instead.
• At 53 lb this is a working truck, not a weekend dolly. If one driver lifts it into a van at every stop, look at the 41 lb MRT.
• It is a two-wheel truck: you hold the load at the balance point. For tall, top-heavy machines that need wheels behind the load, use the SRT-M-66.
• 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 SRT-8 if your loads are full-size refrigerators or other heavy appliances and your deliveries cross gravel, grass or broken pavement.
• Choose the SRT if you stay on pavement and want the lighter 3/4 in frame and a lower price.
• Choose the MRT if truck weight matters more than rating.
• Need four wheels under the load on soft ground? Ask us about a big wheel attachment. Stevens' BWA-S is built for its 3/4 in steel trucks; fit on the 1 in SRT-8 frame has not been confirmed, so call before ordering one.

What's in the box

• One Stevens ESCORT SRT-8 appliance hand truck with one 3-ply, 2-piece, 14 ft strap and auto-recoil ratchet.
• Not included: big wheel attachment, strap extensions (Stevens S-11 6 ft and S-12 4 ft) and the repair kit. Call for prices.

Care and maintenance

• Check the strap for cuts or fraying before each shift and replace it (Stevens S-4) at the first sign of damage.
• Keep sand and grit out of the crawler treads. Wipe the belt and rollers down after wet or gravel jobs so the rollers keep turning.
• Look at the wheels for chunking or flat spots and the axle nuts for play. A W-19 wheel bolts straight on.
• Work the ratchet a few times empty at the start of the day. If it slips or the recoil is weak, the ratchet assembly and recoil spring are sold separately.
• Replace torn vinyl bumpers before bare steel can mark an appliance.

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 MRT, Stevens SRT-M-66, Stevens BWA-S. See every Stevens appliance truck.

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