How to Turn Your Existing 12x12 Truss into Pre-Rigged Truss — Without Buying New Iron
If you run a production company or rental house with any amount of 12×12 box truss in your warehouse, you've probably had this conversation: "Should we switch to GT truss?"
Pre-rigged (or "ground transport") truss is appealing for obvious reasons. Pre-rig your fixtures and cabling at the shop, transport everything assembled, and roll it straight to the rigging point on show day. Faster load-ins. Fewer hands needed. Less time on ladders.
But there's a problem with the GT truss path that nobody in the truss business is eager to talk about.
The Real Cost of Switching to GT Truss
GT truss isn't a conversion — it's a replacement. You're buying entirely new truss with integrated cradle systems, and your existing 12×12 inventory either sits on a shelf collecting dust or gets sold at a loss.
Let's do some rough math. A production company with 200 feet of 12×12 box truss is looking at a significant capital outlay to replace that with GT equivalents. And that's just the truss — you may also need new hardware, connectors, and transport solutions designed for the GT system.
Meanwhile, the 12×12 you already own is perfectly good truss. It's rated, inspected, and paid for. The only thing it can't do is pre-rig efficiently for transport.
Until now.
A Different Approach: The Cart, Not the Truss
The TrussShuttle™ starts from a different premise. Instead of replacing your truss, you add a cart system that turns your existing 12×12 into pre-riggable truss.
Here's how it works:
The TrussShuttle™ is a foldable cradle system on casters. You set your stick of 12×12 truss into the cradle, and now it's elevated, stable, and accessible from all sides. Your crew can bolt on fixtures, run cable, and attach accessories at the shop — at a comfortable working height, not on the floor.
When the truss is pre-rigged and ready, the whole unit rolls onto the truck. Standard 30-inch wide footprint, so it truck-packs like everything else in your fleet.
At the venue, roll it off the truck and straight to the rigging point. Unbolt the truss from the TrussShuttle™, fly it, and fold the empty cart flat. Folded carts stack on top of each other, so they don't eat up truck space during the show.
At the end of the night, reverse the process: land the truss, set it back in the cart, and roll it out.
What This Means for Your Operation
Your existing truss investment is preserved. You're not decommissioning inventory you've already paid for. Every stick of 12×12 in your warehouse becomes pre-rig capable.
The capital outlay is dramatically lower. A TrussShuttle™ starts at $1,899.99, available in 8-foot and 10-foot variants. Compare that to the cost of replacing an equivalent length of truss with GT.
Crew assembly gets safer and easier. Pre-rigging truss that's sitting on the floor means your crew is bending, kneeling, and crawling to bolt fixtures and run cable. A TrussShuttle™ holds the truss at a working height, which is better for backs, better for precision, and better for speed.
Bolting truss sections together without crawling on the floor. This is one of those details that stagehands immediately appreciate. When you need to bolt two sticks of truss together, the TrussShuttle™ holds them at a height where you can work with both hands instead of lying on a venue floor.
You can phase the investment. Buy four TrussShuttles this quarter, four more next quarter. Your pre-rig capability scales with your budget, not all-or-nothing like a full GT truss conversion.
Who This Is For
The TrussShuttle™ was designed for a specific audience: companies that already own 12×12 box truss and want the benefits of pre-rig without the cost of replacing their entire inventory.
That includes rental houses with existing truss fleets, touring production companies that carry their own iron, and venues with permanent truss inventory used for changeover shows.
If you're a startup building a truss inventory from scratch and have the capital for GT truss, that's a valid path. But if you're sitting on hundreds of feet of 12×12 that's already paid for, the TrussShuttle™ is the faster and more cost-effective way to get to pre-rig.
Specs That Matter
Compatible truss: Standard plated 12×12 box truss — the industry workhorse
Available sizes: 8-foot and 10-foot variants
Truck pack footprint: 30 inches wide (standard)
Foldable: Yes — folds flat when truss is in use
Stackable: Yes — folded carts stack for efficient storage and transport
Weight: Lighter than comparable GT truss solutions
Pre-rig capability: Lighting, audio, video, effects, and cabling
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you pre-rig standard 12×12 box truss?
Yes. The TrussShuttle™ holds standard plated 12×12 box truss in an elevated cradle, allowing you to pre-rig lights, audio, video, and cabling directly on the truss before transport.
What is the difference between the TrussShuttle™ and GT truss?
GT truss has built-in cradle systems but requires purchasing entirely new truss inventory. The TrussShuttle™ converts your existing 12×12 box truss into pre-rigged truss without replacing your current inventory. It costs less and preserves your existing investment.
Does the TrussShuttle™ fold for storage?
Yes. It folds flat when the truss is in use on a show. Folded TrussShuttles are stackable with a standard 30-inch wide truck pack footprint.
How much does the TrussShuttle™ cost?
Starting at $1,899.99, built to order with an 8-to-10-week lead time. Available in 8-foot and 10-foot variants.
Ready to convert your 12×12 inventory? View the TrussShuttle™ → or reach out at info@elsnashville.com.
