Using WAGONS & CARTS for moving photo gear ??

Are any of you using carts or wagons to move gear at shoots, even if just part of the time? After the last wedding shoot I did in the redwoods, the idea came to get a hand truck, cart or wagon to roll extra light stands or bags down the path and back again. While browing hand trucks online, I noticed folding wagons which must be a lot easier to store in a vehicle.

Later this month, I have a wedding scheduled at a ranch / golf course venue, and it may be another place something with wheels will help. I'm also curious if there are any certain circumstances than may limit cart use. I wouldn't expect to use a cart all the time, but often if possible.

A couple brands I encountered were Ozark and Mac. But there seem to be a dozen or more.

Has anybody tried carts or wagons before, opting for less gear, or finding ways to shrink gear that were better than a rolling option??

For me, it may be sand bags for stands that's the #1 item I find the want to roll.

Keep in mind these two considerations...

• When the gear is loaded onto the cart/handtruck, how well can the gear be secured to the cart/handtruck so as to not serve to be a major headache simply keeping the stuff ON THE CART?!
  
• When the gear is loaded onto the cart/handtruck, will the cart suddenly be so top-heavy as to constantly threaten to topple over as it is wheeled over irregular paths?!
  

The perfect way to transport gear is using a roll-aboard suitcase. They are everywhere and cheap, come in different convenient sizes and will keep your stuff safe inside.

Last time I used one of these everybody laughed at me.

Archibald wrote in post #18825405
The perfect way to transport gear is using a roll-aboard suitcase. They are everywhere and cheap, come in different convenient sizes and will keep your stuff safe inside.

Last time I used one of these everybody laughed at me.

Right now, I already have two of those. One large rolling suitcase and also rolling camera bag. But the wheels are too small if I need to go over roots on a path, etc.. So I'm looking for something with maybe 4" to 8" or larger wheels. But if the venue is all paved paths,, or another hotel room floor, that sounds like a good idea.

DutchCorps wrote in post #18825409

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This is what I use, in the field when visiting airshows etc., or as a trailer behind my bicycle I went trough whole of Europe with it. Very easy to disassemble, stainless steel and aluminium frame and zippers to close easily. Can carry approx. 50kg.

https://www.radicaldes​ign.nl/cyclone-iv-trekking

Cheers Rene.

Thanks.

Looks like abicycle trailers for children, etc.. Is the handle straight with hitch-pin hole, I'm curious how it would hand-hold.

Your suggestion just opened the door to one other option I hadn't considered ... a 3 wheel child rig like the one in this link >>>

3 WHEEL JOGGER / TRAILER

Similar concept, but three wheels and a regular pushing handle. I think I may prefer pulling than pushing though.

Ended up buying this collapsing wagon from Costco. Link is Amazon - similar model.

MAC SPORTS COLLAPSIBLE WAGON page at Amazon

They probably printed a special box for the Costco stores, but the fine print on the box said Mac Sports and it looks near identical -- minus the folding shelf on the back.

It was $49.99 at Costco today. There was zero assembly. Just pull from the box and loosen one piece of velcro. Opened in an instant. It seems solid. Payload 100 lbs. If there was any suspected "weak link" I would guess if someone tried to pry the tow bar sideways when in the vertical position Otherwise it pulls and rolls excellent. They fold up just as easily.

This will allow me to bring more sandbags than skimping. Let alone camera extra case, etc.. Stands can just lean on the back and bungee if needed.

mdvaden wrote in post #18825985
Ended up buying this collapsing wagon from Costco. Link is Amazon - similar model.

MAC SPORTS COLLAPSIBLE WAGON page at Amazon

They probably printed a special box for the Costco stores, but the fine print on the box said Mac Sports and it looks near identical -- minus the folding shelf on the back.

It was listed $77 on Amazon, but it was $49.99 at Costco today. There was zero assembly. Just pull from the box and loosen one piece of velcro. Opened in an instant. It seems solid. Payload 100 lbs. If there was any suspected "weak link" I would guess if someone tried to pry the tow bar sideways when in the vertical position Otherwise it pulls and rolls excellent. They fold up just as easily.

This will allow me to bring more sandbags than skimping. Let alone camera extra case, etc.. Stands can just lean on the back and bungee if needed.

If only it was self-propelled!

My lame final solution to the gear wagon issue was to go sell some big heavy glass and go with a Sony DSC-RX10 IV. That's all good for an amateur.

I can, though, help with your next shoot, Let the Pro Shop know that you will need a cart. The cost will be minimal and golf carts make fine pack animals.

AZGeorge wrote in post #18830034
My lame final solution to the gear wagon issue was to go sell some big heavy glass and go with a Sony DSC-RX10 IV. That's all good for an amateur.

I can, though, help with your next shoot, Let the Pro Shop know that you will need a cart. The cost will be minimal and golf carts make fine pack animals.

Oh .. I just saw one of those cameras a couple months ago when I went to a brewery after redwood hiking. I asked someone if he didn't mind bringing it inside to show us. It was fun to watch him go through it's various features. He was traveling, and seemed to be perfect for his adventures.

As for carts, I'm familiar with pro shops. My dad bought a country club decades ago, and other golf courses is how I got into the horticulture trade. They do have wheeled options for outdoors. I got the wagon because the wheels look small and easy to brush off to roll into lodging, reception halls, elevators, etc..

But if distance goes beyond 600 to 1000 ft. I would gladly inquire at a pro shop also.

I've been using folding carts purchased from costco on all my wedding/video gigs. I load it up with pelican 1510, think tank airport security and a whole bunch of stands and sand bags and hide it all under a black cloth/blanket to keep people from peeking. I usually wheel it in during receptions, find a spot in back room somewhere and use the security cable from my think tank bag to lock it anywhere I can secure a cable. Makes loading and unloading from my car so much easier and the cart folds up and takes very little space in my trunk. Definitely useful if the venue is huge and you need to lug around lighting gear all over the place. I'd make my assistant the cart b*tch so I can focus on shooting while someone keeps an eye on my gear lol

panicatnabisco wrote in post #18831099
I've been using folding carts purchased from costco on all my wedding/video gigs. I load it up with pelican 1510, think tank airport security and a whole bunch of stands and sand bags and hide it all under a black cloth/blanket to keep people from peeking. I usually wheel it in during receptions, find a spot in back room somewhere and use the security cable from my think tank bag to lock it anywhere I can secure a cable. Makes loading and unloading from my car so much easier and the cart folds up and takes very little space in my trunk. Definitely useful if the venue is huge and you need to lug around lighting gear all over the place. I'd make my assistant the cart b*tch so I can focus on shooting while someone keeps an eye on my gear lol

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That's the same exact cart I just bought. Big enough to hold my camera backpack, light bag, a few stands and other stuff. But it seemed small enough to park along the wall of a reception room, under a table, or near a DJ where an eye can be kept on it.

This coming weekend will be my first time using it. Thanks for sharing your experience with it.

I have a golf cart I modified with a box instead of a bag holder after seeing this post by Phamster:
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?p=8053070

It's a simple light weight way to carry light stands and lights. I can get it into my car, into lifts and up stairs easily with 2 light stands, 2 lights, a pair of softboxes, cables etc.
Fully loaded I can get 6 light stands, 4 lights, modifiers and 1.3m wide roll of background paper on it.

I've used an Inovativ cart: https://www.inovativ.c​om/
Expensive, but I was able to rent one for a week, and it was very useful. Really solid build quality, easy to pack down and reassemble and lots of options for rigging things to it with super clamps etc.