How to Replace a Flagpole Truck (Pulley): Measuring and Choosing the Right One

The truck is the cap at the very top of the flagpole that holds the pulley your rope runs through. When it cracks, seizes or loses its pulley, the flag can get stuck at the top or won't go up at all. Replacing it is a common repair, and getting the right part comes down to a few simple questions.

Step 1: External or internal halyard?

  • External halyard: the rope runs up the outside of the pole and ties off to a cleat. This is the most common type on homes and smaller commercial poles.
  • Internal halyard: the rope or cable runs inside the pole and is reached through a locking door near the bottom. These are common at schools and government buildings, and need an internal halyard truck.

Step 2: Cap-style or threaded?

  • Cap-style trucks slip over the top of the pole and are held with set screws. You choose them by the outside diameter at the top of the pole.
  • Threaded trucks screw onto a threaded fitting in the top of the pole, usually 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" NPT. If your pole has no threaded fitting, a pole top adapter lets you mount a threaded truck.

Step 3: Stationary or revolving?

A stationary truck stays fixed. A revolving truck turns on ball bearings as the wind changes direction, which helps keep the flag and rope from wrapping around the pole. Revolving trucks cost a little more but are worth it on windy sites.

Step 4: Single or double pulley?

A single pulley carries one halyard. A double pulley lets you fly two flags on separate ropes, such as the American flag and a state, military or company flag.

How to measure

  1. Measure the outside diameter at the top of the pole (or wrap a tape around it and divide the circumference by 3.14).
  2. Check whether the top is threaded and note the thread size if you can.
  3. Note the rope diameter. Most residential and light commercial trucks take up to 5/16" rope; heavy-duty trucks take up to 3/8".
  4. Take a photo of the old truck from the side. It's the fastest way for us to confirm the match.

Popular replacement trucks

  • Eder ST-1: cap-style, stationary, single pulley for poles 1-3/8" to 2"
  • Eder OT: cap-style, stationary, single pulley for poles 1-7/8" to 3-1/2"
  • Eder RTC-1 and RTC-2: cap-style, revolving, single or double pulley
  • Eder RTS-1 and RTS-2: threaded 1-1/4" NPT, revolving
  • Eder HDT-1 and HDT-2: heavy-duty commercial trucks for poles up to 6" at the top

A word on safety

Never climb a flagpole or lean a ladder against it. On in-ground poles over about 20 feet, the truck is usually replaced from a bucket truck or lift, or by a flagpole service company. Many sign, tree and electrical contractors have the right equipment.

Not sure what you need? Call us at 1-800-552-4382 or send us a message with a photo. Flags for Flagpoles is a family and veteran owned flag store in Dawsonville, Georgia, selling flags and flagpole parts online since 1999.

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