I was wondering if anyone has any good alternatives for the Rock n Roller cart. I had mine stolen in a break-in, and I always disliked the thing. Doesn't stack a load well, or pack down very small, or is very durable, and I'm looking for an alternative.
I don't need it to be able to multi-task as a platform, as I never felt the optional top shelf they sold was very well designed or built (especially for the price). Mainly just want something that can carry a few roller stands and cases, and pack down a bit smaller if possible.
It doesn't necessarily need to pack down smaller though, I just want something that lets you stack a load up more without needing to bungie it all together.
RnR carts, durability is pretty much their only plus. Apart from the plastic end caps popping out, what’s wasn’t durable for you? TBF I have the R12 Stealth which I feel could be launched off a cliff and still roll around, whereas other models aren’t as rugged.
I don’t know of anything similar that’s better offhand. There’s Kartmaster and Magliner of course, if you want *more* durability. There’s RnR clones like Gator, Rockville, Proaim that may be smaller - maybe you’d prefer one of those?
Otherwise there’s a ton of carts popping up that are multi function - SmallRig has one or two models currently, and there’s Cineforged and Schlepp too.
If you do find yourself headed back to RnR, and a deck setup, the LavaCart decks are where it’s at.
jlafferty wrote:
RnR carts, durability is pretty much their only plus. Apart from the plastic end caps popping out, what’s wasn’t durable for you? TBF I have the R12 Stealth which I feel could be launched off a cliff and still roll around, whereas other models aren’t as rugged.
I don’t know of anything similar that’s better offhand. There’s Kartmaster and Magliner of course, if you want *more* durability. There’s RnR clones like Gator, Rockville, Proaim that may be smaller - maybe you’d prefer one of those?
Otherwise there’s a ton of carts popping up that are multi function - SmallRig has one or two models currently, and there’s Cineforged and Schlepp too.
If you do find yourself headed back to RnR, and a deck setup, the LavaCart decks are where it’s at....Show more →
From a durability standpoint it was mainly smaller things like the traction strips and plastic caps coming off. I always disliked how the back and front handles release by squeezing them inward. When I was on an incline, it was awkward sometimes to release the handles up while also keep the cart from rolling downhill. I thought the deck attachment for the RnR was designed really poorly, and in such a way that it takes too long to take it off and on. It wasn't particularly good at anything, including carrying larger/taller loads.
Someone I worked with today recommended checking out the On-stage UTC2200 or UTC5500 if I want bigger wheels for offroading. It has a nice little foot lever release for the front and rear handles, and you can purchase a utility cart bag for it that basically turns it into a more rugged version of one of those collapsible wagons, as well as a nice shelf that clips onto the top rails. I think it's worth a try, given I already went the RnR route, and know I don't like them.
The 5500 looks pretty sweet and close to the R12 Stealth. I too hate the RnR release/lock mechanism for the arms. Thanks for sharing! Maybe the On Stage mechanism will prove sensible. Let me know LavaCart decks should work with On Stage too.
Thanks man, yeah will report back. The little shelf that on-stage sells for the carts doesn’t look super secure so appreciate the reco on the Lavacart deck
jlafferty wrote:
The 5500 looks pretty sweet and close to the R12 Stealth. I too hate the RnR release/lock mechanism for the arms. Thanks for sharing! Maybe the On Stage mechanism will prove sensible. Let me know LavaCart decks should work with On Stage too.
I am happy with my folding wagon. It carries more than I can pull, but I rarely go anywhere, except to the local parks with it and there are no stairways in these parks. It folds shorter ending up at about 6" thick, but maintains it's profile of the front and back. The handle telescopes to just above the cart face dimension by about 2". I usually collapse it and then place it on it's back in the rear hatch of my Jeep Grand Cherokee when headed or returning from one of the local parks. My photo gear resides in the back seat.
Thanks, yeah I’ve used the collapsible wagons a couple times on jobs and found that they are great for when you need to lug a few roller stands or a few smaller bags, but combining them in the same load tends to be a challenge. What I like about the design of the RnR, Onstage, Gator etc carts with U rails on both ends is that you can put flat cases, apple boxes and whatnot on the bottom of the load, and then stack stands on top of it through the U-rails.
CharleyL wrote:
I am happy with my folding wagon. It carries more than I can pull, but I rarely go anywhere, except to the local parks with it and there are no stairways in these parks. It folds shorter ending up at about 6" thick, but maintains it's profile of the front and back. The handle telescopes to just above the cart face dimension by about 2". I usually collapse it and then place it on it's back in the rear hatch of my Jeep Grand Cherokee when headed or returning from one of the local parks. My photo gear resides in the back seat.
Decided to go with the On-stage UTC5500. Lucked out and found an open box one for only a couple hundred bucks on Amazon! Will report back once I get some use out of it
Sung, sorry to hear about your break-in. I've been in the market for new cart as well and was looking at the R12 Stealth. I think it's currently on sale at B&H and other retailers. I'm interested to hear how you like the On-Stage.
stuuke wrote:
Sung, sorry to hear about your break-in. I've been in the market for new cart as well and was looking at the R12 Stealth. I think it's currently on sale at B&H and other retailers. I'm interested to hear how you like the On-Stage.
Thanks man, to be honest though, of things they could have stolen I wasn't that bothered about losing the RnR lol.
I have read a few reviews complaining about the quality of the wheels and axles, but that's something that RnR carts are also criticized for as well so I'm not that worried as of yet. I pondered the UTC2200 a bit, but the UTC5500 extends to 52" versus only 42" on the UTC2200, and height of the handles on the UTC5500 is 37" versus 31" on the other. My assistant has been using his for the last year in a variety of conditions, including on gravel/dirt, and he really likes his.
sungphoto wrote:
Thanks man, to be honest though, of things they could have stolen I wasn't that bothered about losing the RnR lol.
I have read a few reviews complaining about the quality of the wheels and axles, but that's something that RnR carts are also criticized for as well so I'm not that worried as of yet. I pondered the UTC2200 a bit, but the UTC5500 extends to 52" versus only 42" on the UTC2200, and height of the handles on the UTC5500 is 37" versus 31" on the other. My assistant has been using his for the last year in a variety of conditions, including on gravel/dirt, and he really likes his....Show more →
stuuke wrote:
The B&H reviews on the wheels look pretty brutal.
Yeah it looks like they actually updated the wheel design in the one I purchased, because the previous design the tires would go flat for reasons unclear to me. Hoping the redesigned cart is free of the issues...
This is the cart I ordered:
and this is the previous wheel design as far as I can see
This one is worrisome though as it appears to be the new design and the wheel caster broke. Hard to say though because looking at it closer it kind of looks like there’s some impact damage so wondering if it is from ramming against a curb or something. I’ll definitely be checking the front wheels when I receive mine for any defects.
I just found another cart, made by Proaim, called the Vanguard. It looks like a clone of the first version of the Onstage UTC5500, with the same problematic wheels that have been changed in the new model of the UTC5500. BH has some positive reviews, but on Amazon it's reviewed worse than the Onstage.
The frame design on the Proaim looks identical, including the unlock design for the handles, and I've had poor luck with quality on past Proaim gear so probably going to pass on that one. The RnR stealth R12 is on sale right now, so if the Onstage doesn't work out I'll prob just go back to the RnR..
Also, @jlafferty checked with Lavacart and the deck does fit the Onstage UTC5500 and the Proaim but requires new holes drilled on the handles, so I guess a point in the RnR's favor that it works right out of the box with the lavacart
Alrighty, just got the Onstage UTC5500 in, and I'm sad to say that it's not going to work for me.
I LOVE the handle lock mechanism. It seems well made, and the handles lock in securely without a bit of play that my RnR developed over time. I sometimes have some back issues, and it's nice not to have to bend over as much to assemble the cart.
The front wheels though, like the reviews mentioned, are the problem. They don't turn smoothly in the same direction when turning the cart around corners. One wheel wants to swivel more than the other, so I found right out of the box, that it's easy for the wheels to toe inward. Also, they wobble a bit out of box on the axles of the wheels. I'm not sure if it's something that could be fixed by tightening them, but the problem with doing that is that you can blow out bearings pretty easily if you overtighten.
Sigh.. looks like I'm going back to the RnR. Very disappointing, because the handle release mechanism on the Onstage is great.
Yeah man if Onstage can fix the wheels, they have a great cart in the UTC5500. The release mechanism is super nice.
Thankfully looks like Musicians Friend has a sale right now that applies to the R12Stealth, which brings it down to $263 before tax so just going to snag one of those. Paired with the Lavacart deck, it does look pretty snazzy I gotta say, and doesn't require drilling to fit out of the box.
Thanks, I had seen that a while back. I had the shelf for my old cart, but ended up throwing it into the dumpster when I moved because I never used it, largely because as John mentions it's super fiddly to attach. I also thought the fit and finish of the shelf was not great. It was a little too narrow to be very useful for additional loads, and it wasn't something that I'd want to use as a workstation surface like the Lavacarts.
I used to work in a rental house in hong kong, and we were using Magliner for loading equipment and working platform, you may take a look at their folding platform truck
lawbakgo wrote:
I used to work in a rental house in hong kong, and we were using Magliner for loading equipment and working platform, you may take a look at their folding platform truck
Thanks, I just ended up ordering an R12 stealth and will prob pick up a lavacart deck to go with it. The Magliners convertible hand trucks are great, but they don't break down as small as the Rocknroller which is a factor for me because I drive a wagon, which fits a surprising amount of gear but isn't super tall.
LavaCart decks should work with On Stage too. 
