Wheeley Bars
12 products
12 products
Made in California, USA
Wheeley Bars are telescope dollies that let you move your fully assembled rig — tripod, mount, OTA, cameras, cables, the whole stack — from storage to your observing spot in one trip. Lock the wheels, level the base, and start observing.
Built by JMI (part of the CXB Astro family), every Wheeley Bar is welded steel with a powder-coat finish, locking wheels, and built-in leveling bolts. Designed and manufactured in California to last decades. No more breakdown-and-rebuild every session — your polar alignment, cable routing, and balance survive between sessions.
Why a Wheeley Bar
Keep your setup intact
Polar alignment, cable routing, balance — all of it survives between sessions. Roll out, observe, roll back.
Save your back
A modern imaging rig with mount, OTA, and counterweights can hit 75–150 lb. Wheels move it. You don't lift it.
Observe more
When setup takes 30 seconds instead of 30 minutes, you actually get out under the stars more often.
Two Wheel Configurations
Every Wheeley Bar can be configured for hard surfaces or rough terrain.
For pavement
Locking Caster Wheels
The default configuration. Locking casters for garage floors, patios, driveways, and other hard flat surfaces. Standard 2-3/8″ hard-rubber wheels handle smooth concrete; the 5″ polyurethane upgrade rides over cracks, seams, and rough cobblestone-like surfaces.
For rough terrain
10″ Pneumatic Tires + Tow Handle
All-terrain pneumatic rubber wheels for grass, dirt, gravel, and uneven ground. Includes a tow handle for easy pulling. Essential for dark-sky sites and backyard observatories on natural ground.
Choosing the Right Size
Three factors decide which Wheeley Bar fits your setup: the type of telescope (tripod-mounted versus Dobsonian), the tip-to-tip distance between two of your tripod's legs at observing height, and the total weight of your fully-loaded rig.
The Heavy-Duty line (HD Shorty, HD Medium, HD Large) handles imaging rigs up to 300 lb. The Standard Medium is suited to lighter visual rigs under 100 lb. Dobsonian owners get the Sky Trekker 200 (smaller Dobs), the Sky Trekker 300 (larger Dobs), the Triangle-Style Wheeley Bar for 8″/10″/12″ Dobs, or the Ez-Glide Wheeley Kit for universal Dob mobility.
Want the step-by-step sizing walkthrough? Our full guide covers tip-to-tip measurement, weight thresholds, and which model fits your scope: JMI Wheeley Bars — Telescope Dollies guide. For Dobsonian-specific mobility options, see the Dobsonian Wheels & Mobility page.
What the Astro Community Is Saying
★★★★★
"Excellent product. My C8/Atlas Pro astrophoto mount lives in the garage, rolls to the driveway for use. Previously used moving dollys. Benefits of the JMI Dolly: no lifting, easier leveling, more secure/reliable/durable, moves much more smoothly — does not jar the mount."
★★★★★
"I'm very impressed with the Dolly. Excellent design, construction, and components. The Farpoint staff took a very active role to make sure the order details would suit my needs. The Dolly is a perfect fit for my older non-folding G-11 tripod — very solid support."
★★★★★
"Game changer. I purchased the 10″ wheels version. I was initially hesitant due to the price, but upon arrival and assembly I was impressed with the build quality and attention to detail. I just wish I had done this years ago."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I use a Wheeley Bar?
Standard Wheeley Bars are designed to be used on hard flat surfaces. With the optional large-wheel upgrade — and great care in handling under ideal conditions — they can be used on grass, dirt, and gravel. Wheeley Bars are generally designed to be used with the tripod legs almost fully retracted to reduce the overall width.
Word of warning: the heavier the telescope mounted on the Wheeley Bars, the more careful you must be moving the complete system. Always pull or push below the center of gravity. JMI is not responsible for damage caused by incorrect loading or operation.
What material are the Wheeley Bars made of?
Sturdy steel — channel or rectangular tubing depending on the model — covered with a durable powder-coat finish. Treated properly, they should last several lifetimes.
How do I know which Wheeley Bar to choose?
Three factors:
Type of equipment. Telescopes on a tripod take one of the Universal-style Wheeley Bars. Dobsonian telescopes take a Dob-style Wheeley Bar sized to your particular Dob.
Tip-to-tip distance. Each Universal Wheeley Bar shows a minimum and maximum tip-to-tip distance. Set up your telescope at observing height, then measure between two tripod feet. Match that measurement to one of the listed ranges. Custom Wheeley Bars are available for setups outside the standard ranges.
Total weight. The Standard Medium suits smaller telescopes like a standard C8 — under 100 lb. If your fully-loaded rig is over 100 lb, step up to one of the Heavy-Duty models, which carry up to 300 lb. Extra Large and MAX sizes are available for very large telescopes.
Always pull or push below the center of gravity. JMI is not responsible for damage caused by incorrect loading or operation.
What wheels do the Wheeley Bars use?
Three wheel types are available:
- Standard, lockable hard-rubber wheels — 2-3/8″ diameter, 1-1/8″ wide
- Lockable polyurethane wheels — 5″ diameter
- All-terrain pneumatic rubber wheels — 10″ diameter
The standard 2-3/8″ wheels work well on hard flat surfaces — gymnasium floors, smooth concrete. For concrete with cracks or seams (sidewalks, driveways) or cobblestone-like surfaces, the 5″ wheel upgrade rides over imperfections much better. For grass, dirt, gravel, or just a smoother ride, the 10″ pneumatic wheels travel over rough terrain without sinking in.
How do I measure tip-to-tip distance?
To make sure your tripod or pier fits a particular Wheeley Bar:
1. Set up your tripod at observing height — not all the way up or all the way down, but the height that gives a comfortable eyepiece position.
2. Lower your tripod by 6 inches if you'll use the 5″ polyurethane wheels, or by 3.5 inches if you'll use the 10″ pneumatic wheels. This accounts for the lift the Wheeley Bar adds.
3. Measure the distance between any two tripod tips. That's your tip-to-tip distance. Compare against the ranges listed on each Wheeley Bar product page.
Want the deep-dive comparison?
Full specs, sizing walkthrough, and the heavy-duty vs standard breakdown.