Global Truss

Global Truss at LTT – Professional Aluminium Truss Systems

Global Truss stands for one of the most widely used aluminium truss systems in the event industry worldwide — and at LTT you get the full range from a specialist with over 25 years of experience. Whether you are building a stage roof, a ground support system or an exhibition rig, Global Truss gives you TÜV-tested load capacity and reliable, tool-friendly assembly.

As your specialist for event technology, LTT combines the trusted Global Truss portfolio with expert technical advice, fast dispatch from Germany and worldwide delivery. From compact F14 sections to heavy-duty F34 PL trussing, you will find the optimal solution for professional applications here.

Explore the Global Truss series, technical load data, matching accessories and clear buying guidance below — everything you need to specify the right truss for your project.

What Is Global Truss? Fundamentals of the Truss System

Global Truss is a modular aluminium truss system used to build load-bearing structures for stages, lighting rigs, exhibition stands and event architecture. A truss (also called "traverse" in German) is a lightweight lattice girder made from aluminium main tubes (chords) welded to diagonal bracing tubes. This lattice construction delivers a very high strength-to-weight ratio, which is exactly what makes truss the backbone of professional rigging.

Global Truss products are manufactured from premium aluminium alloys — EN AW-6061 and EN AW-6082 in accordance with DIN EN 573-3 — and welded by certified welders (EN ISO 9606-2). The finished systems are type-tested by TÜV Nord and exceed standard reference values.

How Global Truss differs from adjacent products

Unlike a simple lighting stand or a telescopic pole, a Global Truss system is a certified, engineered structure with published working load limits (WLL) and load tables. Unlike stage decks or podiums — which provide a walking surface — truss carries suspended or ground-supported loads such as moving heads, LED walls, line arrays and roof canopies. And unlike decorative deco truss, structural Global Truss series (F31 to F34) are rated for real production loads. At LTT you can combine Global Truss with our own aluminium truss brands such as Naxpro-Truss, Litetruss and Junior-Truss, giving you flexibility across every price and load class.

Global Truss Series Explained: F31, F32, F33, F34 & PL

Global Truss offers over 20 different truss systems, so understanding the series naming helps you choose correctly. The number roughly reflects tube diameter and load class — the higher the number, the heavier the duty.

The main structural series

• F14 / F24 Series — compact single- and two-point truss for light indoor builds, shelving, retail displays and small decorative structures.
• F31 Standard & PL Series — four-point truss with a 50 mm main tube, an entry point into structural spans for smaller stages and lighting bridges.
• F32 Standard & PL Series — a very popular four-point system, widely used for lighting rigs, DJ setups and mid-size spans.
• F33 Standard & PL Series — a step up in load capacity for longer spans and heavier fixture loads.
• F34 Standard, PL & DNA Series — the flagship heavy-duty system with a 50 mm main tube and 3 mm wall thickness, designed for large stages, roof systems and touring production structures.

Standard Series vs PL Series

The key difference is the connection method. Standard Series truss uses spigot-and-pin connectors, while the PL Series uses conical connectors that self-align and lock together for faster, more precise assembly and higher rigidity. PL truss is the professional choice for demanding heavy-duty applications where quick build times and maximum strength matter. For DNA and F35/F44/F45 systems, Global Truss extends the range even further into ultra-heavy tour and roof applications. If you are unsure which series fits your span and load, the buying guide further down this page will point you in the right direction.

Technical Buying Criteria: Tube Diameter, Wall Thickness & WLL Load Tables

For professional rigging, the decisive technical criteria are tube diameter, wall thickness, truss cross-section and the resulting working load limit (WLL). These figures determine how far a truss can span and how much weight it can safely carry — so always plan against published load tables, never by feel.

Comparison of key Global Truss series

Why wall thickness matters

The F34 series uses a 3 mm wall thickness compared to the 2 mm wall of F32/F33. That extra material significantly increases the maximum span and point load a truss can carry, which is why F34 (and F34 PL) is the standard for stage roofs, ground support towers and heavy fixture loads. As a reference, a Global Truss F34 PL 2.5 m section weighs around 14 kg with a tube diameter of roughly 48 mm and a 290 mm truss diameter.

Reading load tables correctly

Every WLL figure depends on span length, support conditions (two-point support vs cantilever) and whether loads are point loads or uniformly distributed. Global Truss publishes complete load tables via its smartphone app and planning documentation. For comparison, LTT own-brand Naxpro-Truss FD31/HD31 uses a 50 mm tube (2 mm or 3 mm wall) and GS94 a 60 mm tube with 5 mm wall — useful context when you compare systems. Always match the truss series to the calculated load, and when in doubt, request a structural calculation.

Corners, Couplers, Base Plates & Accessories

A Global Truss structure is only complete with the right connecting components and accessories. LTT stocks a deep range so you can build compatible, safe configurations without hunting for parts.

Essential Global Truss components

• Corner junctions — 2-way, 3-way and 4-way corners in angles such as 90°, 60°, 135°, 144° and 162° let you build boxes, triangles and complex geometries.
• Base plates — for example the BS450 (450 × 450 mm) provides a stable footing for ground-supported towers and standalone structures.
• Couplers & clamps — the popular 812-B Half Coupler and other load-rated clamps attach fixtures, steels and cross-members to the truss.
• Conicals & spacers — connect Standard and PL sections and fine-tune spans.
• Screwjack / spindle feet — level towers on uneven ground.
• Quick-release claws, pins and R-clips — supplied for fast, secure assembly.

Rigging hardware and safety accessories

Beyond truss-specific parts, professional rigs need load-rated rigging hardware: steel wire ropes, shackles, safety cables (secondary suspension), spansets and hoists. Our Riggatec accessory range complements Global Truss with certified clamps, safety steels and load-rated hardware — ideal when you want everything from a single specialist. Matching the correct coupler and safety cable to each fixture is not optional; it is part of safe rigging practice and required by the applicable standards described further down this page.

Applications: Stages, Roof Systems, Ground Support & Exhibition Stands

Global Truss is used wherever loads need to be suspended or supported safely and repeatably. The system suits everything from a small club rig to a full touring production, which is why it is a favourite across the entire event and installation sector.

Typical applications and rig configurations

• Stage roof systems — F34 and F34 PL truss form the primary structure for outdoor and festival stage roofs that carry canopies, PA and lighting.
• Ground support systems — free-standing towers (built with base plates and heavy-duty truss) lift lighting and video rigs without needing a venue's rigging points; ideal for touring and dry-hire.
• Line array towers — dedicated tower solutions such as the LA 500 fly PA line arrays safely at concerts.
• Exhibition and display stands — lightweight truss builds create eye-catching booths, gantries and signage frames for trade shows and messebau.
• Club, band, theatre and DJ setups — F32/F33 lighting bridges and goalposts frame the stage and set the scene with a real wow-effect.

Stage height and rig planning

Always plan your rig height, span and load together. A DJ goalpost may only need F32 at 3 m, while a festival roof demands F34 towers several metres high with correct ballast and bracing. For heavier fixture loads or long spans, step up a series and verify the WLL. LTT's technical team helps you specify the optimal configuration for your venue and budget.

Safety, Certification & Standards (TÜV, EN 1090, DGUV Vorschrift 17)

Rigging load-bearing structures over people is a serious responsibility, so certification and standards compliance are non-negotiable for professional Global Truss use.

Relevant standards and certifications

• TÜV type testing — Global Truss products are type-tested by TÜV Nord and exceed standard reference values, so you get documented, verifiable load ratings.
• Material standards — premium aluminium alloys EN AW-6061 and EN AW-6082 (DIN EN 573-3) ensure consistent strength.
• Welding certification — welders certified to EN ISO 9606-2 and ISO 9001:2008 production processes guarantee reliable weld quality.
• EN 1090 — the European standard for the execution of aluminium and steel structures, relevant for load-bearing event structures and structural verification.
• DGUV Vorschrift 17 (formerly BGV C1) — the German accident-prevention regulation for the event and production industry, covering the safe operation of stages and rigging in professional settings.

Safe rigging practice

Always rig within the published WLL, use secondary suspension (safety cables) on every suspended fixture, and never exceed span limits from the load tables. For complex or heavy structures, obtain a structural calculation (statics) and, where required, a competent-person sign-off. Global Truss has run Truss Academy safety seminars since 2012 to share exactly this knowledge across the industry. If you operate in the UK, Ireland or elsewhere in the EU, always confirm the local regulatory requirements that apply to your production alongside the manufacturer certification.

Buying Guide: Which Global Truss System Fits Your Project?

Choosing the right Global Truss system comes down to three questions: how much load do you need to carry, how far do you need to span, and how often will you build and dismantle it? Use the guide below to narrow it down by use case.

Decision guide by use case

• Beginners, DJs and small clubs — start with F31 or F32. These four-point systems handle typical lighting loads, are affordable and easy to store. A simple goalpost or lighting bridge is quick to assemble.
• Bands, theatres and mid-size venues — choose F32 or F33 for longer spans and heavier fixture loads such as moving heads and LED bars.
• Touring, rental and exhibition professionals — go for F34 or F34 PL. The 3 mm wall thickness and conical connectors deliver the highest strength and the fastest, most repeatable build times.
• Stage roofs and ground support — F34 PL and dedicated ground support / tower systems are the correct choice, always specified against the load tables.

Practical buying tips

Buy PL series if fast, precise assembly is a priority; buy Standard series to save budget on lighter, less frequently rebuilt rigs. Standardise on one series across your inventory so parts stay interchangeable. Factor in corners, base plates, couplers and safety cables from the start — a truss without matching hardware is not a usable structure. If you already run LTT own-brand truss, ask us about interchangeability and connector compatibility so you can mix systems sensibly.

Planning Tools & Related Categories at LTT

Good planning prevents overloaded, unsafe rigs — and Global Truss provides free tools to help. The online Truss Construction Tool (TrussTool 3D) lets you design your structure in 3D, choose between F32, F33 and F34 systems, place every single truss piece including spacers, circles and base plates, and instantly see total weight and overall dimensions. The Global Truss smartphone app complements this with access to all load tables, and for complex builds LTT supports you with planning and structural calculations.

Related and further categories

To complete your rig, browse our closely related ranges: rigging hardware and safety accessories, aluminium truss from LTT own brands (Naxpro-Truss, Litetruss, Junior-Truss), stage decks and podiums, lighting fixtures and effect equipment. Combining Global Truss with matching accessories from a single specialist keeps your build compatible, certified and safe.

LTT – Your Specialist for Event Technology

As your specialist for event technology, LTT is more than a retailer: with over 25 years of experience and our own aluminium truss production in Germany, we understand rigging from the raw tube to the finished structure. That expertise is exactly what you need when you buy load-bearing Global Truss systems — because the right advice is as important as the right part.

When you order from LTT you benefit from fast dispatch from our warehouse in Germany, a 3-year LTT warranty, free shipping from €69 and express delivery options. Our worldwide shipping and international dealer network mean professional customers across the UK, Ireland and beyond can rely on us as a dependable partner, and resellers benefit from dedicated trade pricing.

Ready to specify your next stage, roof or exhibition build? Explore the full Global Truss range now and pair it with matching rigging hardware and our own high-quality branded truss systems to achieve impressive, reliable results — every single show.

FAQ – Questions & Answers