trolley case recommendations?

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TravFF

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Greetings,

I'm looking to get one of those handy-dandy wheeled trolley cases to replace the trusty large bag for when I go travelling. However, I've no real idea of what specifically to look for in terms of quality. It's not going to be used more than a few times per year in airport conditions so I know I won't need the deluxe model which can withstand constant torture but it obviously needs to be strong enough to put up with the rigors of airline transport.

Anything I should be paying attention to? For example, the material used to construct the wheels? Some are rubber, some are plastic - does it make a huge difference?

All thoughts, comments and suggestions gratefully received!
 
Safest bet is to just go all out and buy a more expensive one. Tosca or Samsonite are my two favourites. You can buy cheaper or middle of the road ones but they'll fall apart after being thrown around a few times.

If you go to Myer at sales time they'll often have 30-50% off the good stuff which represents excellent value.
 
David Jones too.

They both seem to have regular 30%/25%/40% off Samsonite bags and/or other brands.

I like Samsonite bags too. A bit pricy, but good quality. Mine are a little battle scarred from baggage handlers, but are holding up well.

Another good feature is they seem to be designed well.
 
Mal said:
David Jones too.

They both seem to have regular 30%/25%/40% off Samsonite bags and/or other brands.

I like Samsonite bags too. A bit pricy, but good quality. Mine are a little battle scarred from baggage handlers, but are holding up well.

Another good feature is they seem to be designed well.
I purchased a "Qantas" brand from Harris-Scarfe last year on a 50% off 'sale'''. For $79. it kicks A•s!!.

Note there are different "maximum" sizes on Qantas flights for these cases. The Domestic one is slightly larger. Make sure you get the smaller one if you are doing much International travel..
 
Samsonite - it's the only brand that lasts any decent amount of time.

In the past 6 years I've destroyed several garment bags (Tosca, Triplite, Monsac, etc) and a couple of wheeled cases (Antler, Monsac).

My current Samsonite garment bag is coming up to its third birthday, and just looking a bit scruffy now.

The samsonite wheeled case is in top shape. Don't even bother buying anything less - follow the advice above re: DJs, I always buy my luggage there when it's reduced.

Generally with vouchers I've obtained from cc points.....
 
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I can recommend the Hedgren brand. From memory, I bought it from Myer about 5 years ago, and it's still going strong.
 
My vote is for Samsonite. I bought one in 1999, and used at least 6 times a year for both domestic and international. Everything is in perfect order, wheels, zippers, etc.

This year, I wanted to buy another one (as my wife had already taken the Samsonite). Went to Myers and was tempted by the salesman to buy another brand at half the price of Samsonite. Bought it and took it home. Something did not feel right. I weighed that empty trolley case and it was over 4 kgs!!! It just leaves another three kgs to pack. As I had to leave overseas in a hurry I left it at home and took another bigger suitcase that I had to baggage. I came back from overseas and promptly returned to Myer and got the cash back.

Lesson - Always check the weight of the bag. I had the misfortune of buying a bigger suitcase (Tosca) in 1998 that weighed 7.5kg (leaving only 12.5 kg) to pack when travelling alone!

I think Samsonite's Ultralite ones are lighter. I saw a mag ad featuring Richard Branson for a new Samsonite range. Can't remember the name.
 
I always buy Samsonite and everytime I think I have the right model to suit my needs there's always a new one that comes out offering a few more features.

The one I use now is just right for international travel and fits comfortably in the overhead bins of a 747 (downstairs of course). Using it I've managed to travel with all my clothing for a 10 day trip to the US in winter as carry on baggage. Unfortunately I don't have the model number readily available but it cost me about $200 or so.
 
I don't know where OP is located but if in MEL, there is a large Tosca outlet in Warrigal Rd Cheltenham which has a huge variety of (naturally) Tosca cases. I got a medium sized roller there less than 2 years ago, $49 marked down from $149 (assuming the markdown was genuine). Great value regardless.
 
After getting an idea of what you want (size, brand etc) I would just check to make sure that the wheels are as far apart as they can be. Really annoying when the wheels are placed further towards the centre, as this makes it less stable.
 
I bought an ENORMOUS "Airport" brand wheelie case about 7 years ago. I don't know if it is meant to be a great brand or not but I think it is fantastic as it is extremely robust. It is used about 10 times a year and is definately an all terain wheeler and has been wheeled many kilometres on all types of surfaces including a lot of gravel. As much as I would like it to look a little more battered (so that it looks like I do lots of travel) it still looks near new. My only complaint about it is that as there is enough room in it to pack for a family of 4 (including nappies and a sun shelter) we are sometimes in danger of being over weight.

My other cabbin sized suitcase for short trips is a "Jag" brand with the smoothest wheels - I love it.

Happy shopping :D
 
Ultimate Wheelie

After a long search I discovered Swiss Army products. My current unit (4 years old) has travelled thousands of miles as both carry-on and checked baggage, gets thrown in and out of the back of choppers and dragged across very rough gound. It still looks very presentable, the wheels have never shown thel east sign of damage.
 
This is a timely thread.

I've hardly needed to check bags for a long time so that one is lasting well and has I think about 200,000 miles on the clock. My preferred carry-on is getting a lot more use (about 450,000 miles to date) and is holding up okay. However one of the wheels suffered damage when a small twig got caught up in it and stopped it turning on a concrete path. By the time I noticed it a flat patch was worn into the wheel. To me that suggests may need to replace wheels in another hundred flights or so (ie this year) or get another carry-on.
 
Pretty much any gear can be bought at the department store sales for ridiculous amounts off, suggesting the high margins on this stuff. My current bag is an Antler expandable bag, which I bought seven years ago and is showing only minor signs of age. At the time, it was RRP$249, but I picked it up at Grace Bros (now Myer) Hornsby for $104.

In that time, one of the outer zippers to one of the smaller pockets broke, but this is not a major concern. There is some minor wear and tear evident on the bag, but it is still going strong, after flying on an annual 10-12 sector round the world trip in that time, and about 3-4 trips domestically each year.

Samsonite is very good, but is expensive.
 
bought at the department store sales for ridiculous amounts off

That's certainly right. I bought a new set (ie: large trolley, small carry-on trolley and small carry bag) for 50% off just after Christmas. It's Samsonite, top quality and should last me a while (although the pinstripe design took some getting used to!)
 
Samsonite for me by a long way, and avoid black if you can, its somewhat popular in colour which often results in my bag getting removed from the belt by someone other than me!
 
Great to have the last word on a topic:

http://www.luggagedirect.com.au/cat...id=78&osCsid=6a48783ad1d58a2ce7fccc61af0987ff

Obviously you don't have to purchase from this place but here are the specs. Comes with embedded GPS so you can track where it is in the world when it is lost.

Look at everything else and then buy this one (or the slightly smaller one). Don't buy the blue, as that will lead to confusion with mine. Best you go with the red or black.

Maybe a bit expensive for the occasional traveller but for everyone else; the must have.

Wheels are indestructable.

Might have been lying about the GPS.......
 
browski said:
Great to have the last word on a topic:

http://www.luggagedirect.com.au/cat...id=78&osCsid=6a48783ad1d58a2ce7fccc61af0987ff

Obviously you don't have to purchase from this place but here are the specs. Comes with embedded GPS so you can track where it is in the world when it is lost.

Look at everything else and then buy this one (or the slightly smaller one). Don't buy the blue, as that will lead to confusion with mine. Best you go with the red or black.

Maybe a bit expensive for the occasional traveller but for everyone else; the must have.

Wheels are indestructable.

Might have been lying about the GPS.......

Victorinox is one I have been looking into. How long have you had it? How is it wearing (for how much use)?

As you may have gathered I travel a LOT so need something very durable.
 
I've had mine for 4 months and that equates to about 20 flights, so maybe too small a sample at the moment to really know its durability.

However, so far case is showing no signs of wear, zips are all in order, wheels are fine, handle is working well etc. I have the 61 cm model, not the Diana Ross 68cm that I see most travellers use.

I think the specs are reassuring:

Telescoping handle system features sturdy 1mm tempered aluminum tubing for strength and toughness and a one-touch handle system over-molded with soft TPR rubber for comfortable handling. Curved telescoping mono-pole features a swivel handle that locks into a natural palm facing-the-side-of-body rolling position.

Dupont UD-48 ballistic Cordura(TM) nylon fabric offers an unsurpassed combination of burst strength, abrasion resistance and color fastness
Features YKK Racquet Coil zippers that offer unsurpassed burst-strength, endurance and abrasion resistance

80mm in-line wheels for easy handling and rolling
2.5" expansion for added packing space, carry-on when not expanded.

Specifications
Material - UD-48 ballistic Cordura(R) nylon
Size - 61cm x 46cm x 29cm
Lifetime warranty


I also have this Victorinox Cabin/laptop bag that I attach to the main bag so it then rolls in tandem (so you still have one hand free):
http://www.luggagedirect.com.au/cat...d=163&osCsid=6a48783ad1d58a2ce7fccc61af0987ff
 
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