Folding Hand Cart Help

[Cabo]

I played an outdoor gig last night where a hand cart would have been a savior. The stage was very away from the available parking. I'm wondering what others are using.

 

Unfortunately I don't have much room in my car -- so I'm looking for something that will fold up and still be very durable. I'd like to be able to use it for keyboards - 40 - 50 lbs. and 12 inch monitor speaker -- 40-45 lbs. Thanks.

[mate stubb]

I bought one from handtrucks.com - don't remember the brand but they have loads to choose from.

 

I preferred the 7" wheels instead of some of the smaller ones.

 

http://www.handtrucks.com/hand-trucks/folding-hand-trucks/4567+1579+2524.cfm

 

Also, the Sam's Club where I live has some for very cheap right now - like $35 or something.

[B3bluesman59]

I preferred the 7" wheels instead of some of the smaller ones.

________________________________________________________________

These bigger wheels cost a bit more but are well worth it.

 

[orangefunk]

I use one for my Fender Rhodes, RD700GX and CX-3... it copes with them all (not at the same time I hasten to add!) very comfortably... it also folds away nicely too... not sure of the brand but its similar to this one

 

http://www.twinsupply.com/office/proddetail.asp?prod=KTKLGLC200

 

 

[mwheels]

150 pound capacity, weighs 9 pounds, rolls nice for $32.95.

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/material-handling/hand-trucks-dollies/hand-trucks-folding/best-value-folding-hand-cart-150-lb-capacity

[mate stubb]

One disadvantage to these folding carts is that the handle is in a flat plane with the load rails.

 

This means that carrying something tall can cause your hand to tend to get smashed. It's an inherent problem in these flat folding designs, and there's nothing you can do about it - just be aware.

[Jazz+]

This TriKart 800 has "tilt back " wheels that are free standing. I've used it for over 10 years.

 

http://www.luggageandleather.com/images/products/Remin/Tri-Kart-800-open.jpg

 

http://www.luggageandleather.com/images/products/Remin/Tri-Kart-800.jpg

[drawback]

I have a folding cart and yes, the straight handle is a hand-squasher - but the thing that bugs me the most is the wheels and platform are geared together.

 

I use velcro straps to secure gear to the cart so I'd like to be able to fold in the wheels so the whole thing will slide into the back of a vehicle, flat, like a skid.

 

 

 

 

[DanL]

I don't mess around with the small hand carts. I have a heavy duty one with a fold out base that lets me fit my 10 space rack, anvil case with all my extras, and 2 wedge monitors in one trip, over 200lbs of gear. With that big load done, then I can make a 2nd trip for both keyboards, wheeling the big one and carrying the smaller one. Last trip is my keyboard stand, mic stand, and stool. A lot of the gigs we play have long load in treks, so the fewer trips I have to make, the better. Plus, my rack is a bear and my anvil box is pretty heavy too so it's nice to be able to wheel it vs carry it.

[mate stubb]

I don't mess around with the small hand carts. I have a heavy duty one with a fold out base that lets me fit my 10 space rack, anvil case with all my extras, and 2 wedge monitors in one trip, over 200lbs of gear.

 

Yeah, it sounds like you are moving a big enough load that you need something a bit more robust.

 

The Rock n Roller carts are another alternative.

 

http://www.rocknrollercart.com/

[MoodyBluesKeys]

The RockNRoller cart works very well for me. It is long enough for a typical 61key board inside a hard case to lay flat. I had mine extended by a local welder for a modest charge - it now will hold my 76 key or 88 key boards on the bottom, a powered PA (EV 12" or QSC 10") at each end, with all the miscellaneous stuff in a large bag in the middle (stand, pedals, AC extension cord and outlet strip, cables, everything).

 

I can pick up one end of it loaded, lift that end into the van, then pick up the other end and roll everything in fully. I tried a set of ramps, but it won't climb straight enough.

 

I have loaded both keyboards and the dual Z stand, but I need to load separately, then put everything on the card, bungee it down securely - still gives me a one trip load in/out.

 

[Bill H.]

I think a light duty cart would work for what the OP is going to be doing with it. I use one that I picked up at Costco for under $30 and it's been holding up well.

 

But I'm not moving the gear that Dan is. The heaviest things it hauls are my Yorkville ES-508s. They're 85 pounds each, so it's not a complete wimp.

 

Like most carts of this type if folds small and flat in a second - very easy to fit somewhere in my car.

[Aidan]

I bought a Rock n Rolla. Nothing wrong with the design but so many venues have steps I ceased using it.

[Meisenhower]

+1 on the Rock N Roller.

 

I use the R10 and it's been great. I got it on sale and it was the best money spent. It makes load in and out a breeze.

 

If there's stairs, you'll still have to bust the stuff up with our without a cart. I prefer using the cart to get gear as far as it can go.

 

On a typical jazz gig (where no PA is necessary), I can move everything I need in one trip.

 

http://www.rocknrollercart.com/

[NewImprov]

I have a Rock 'n Roller, and, unless I know I'll have a major load-in distance to cover, I rarely take it with me, just because it takes up so much space in the car.

[Cabo]

Original poster here -- Thanks for all the responses. I have checked out the Rock N Roller and is definitely too big for my situation --- it would take up a good portion of my trunk.

 

I am going to try this -- which addresses the hand smashing issue of the cheaper folding carts, since it has extra handles. Also it says it has a bigger load capacity than the cheaper ones. We'll see how it works out.

 

http://www.handtrucksrus.com/crashdetail.aspx?id=480

 

[bhodaway10]

Nice cart - like the handle design - but it's quite $$$.

 

I almost got the rock n roller r6, r8, etc but my now wife recommended the smallest one, the r2 - $100. Works like a charm and it's small enough to fit in my car. I'm glad I didn't get the bigger ones - they're really bulky. The trick to the long keyboards is putting them upright and bungee cording them to the rails. I'll post a pic later....but I can move my whole xk3c system - pedals included - my stand, chair, and amp in one trip.

[mate stubb]

Yeah, I like the design of that one too. Might even pick one up in fact and try it against my current one.

 

It would be worth the cost if it saves me back pains or smashed hands every time I move gear.