"Camera Carts"

After working a 3-Day shoot at a hotel conference with my 2nd shooter that has a RockNRoller I decided to pull the trigger on the Stealth R12 version w/ the Jumbo GripnGaff bag. After going from that (everything from two cinematographer's vehicles in one trip) back to my caravan of kiddy wagons on my shoot all around a college campus later that week I was sold. My other shooter had the R8, but I decided to spring for the R12 for the bigger wheels and the stealth version because I find the yellow annoying, ha. He also had the Jumbo GripnGaff bag and it was great.

I realized RocknRoller carts aren't the best, but for the price they are a great value. I plan on making my own deck and a few mods to make it easier to use/set up ala this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Hj0VLENtc
 
The thing that a lot of folks dont like about RnRs is the quality control. You may get a good one, or you may get one where the smart wheels dont always touch the ground at the same and one wheel often wobbles (like I did). Over time your handles may bend outward instead of staying 90 degrees (like mine do) be because all that keeps those handles upright is two tiny pieces of metal that can get bent. Your big/dumb wheels may start getting wobbly and loose over time (like mine did) for no apparent reason, it may start rolling really rough like there’s twice as much weight on it (like mine does) and your axles may develop a slight bow (like mine did).

So um, welcome to ownership, I guess?
 
chris f said:
After working a 3-Day shoot at a hotel conference with my 2nd shooter that has a RockNRoller I decided to pull the trigger on the Stealth R12 version w/ the Jumbo GripnGaff bag. After going from that (everything from two cinematographer's vehicles in one trip) back to my caravan of kiddy wagons on my shoot all around a college campus later that week I was sold. My other shooter had the R8, but I decided to spring for the R12 for the bigger wheels and the stealth version because I find the yellow annoying, ha. He also had the Jumbo GripnGaff bag and it was great.

I realized RocknRoller carts aren't the best, but for the price they are a great value. I plan on making my own deck and a few mods to make it easier to use/set up ala this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Hj0VLENtc
Click to expand...

I did the shelf mod a few years ago and it saves a ton of time and makes it 10x easier.
 
Josh Bass said:
The thing that a lot of folks dont like about RnRs is the quality control. You may get a good one, or you may get one where the smart wheels dont always touch the ground at the same and one wheel often wobbles (like I did). Over time your handles may bend outward instead of staying 90 degrees (like mine do) be because all that keeps those handles upright is two tiny pieces of metal that can get bent. Your big/dumb wheels may start getting wobbly and loose over time (like mine did) for no apparent reason, it may start rolling really rough like there’s twice as much weight on it (like mine does) and your axles may develop a slight bow (like mine did).

So um, welcome to ownership, I guess?
Click to expand...


Once they get too bad, chunk ‘em. If I get a few years out of one, I got my money’s worth. Again, for me, it’s not the price difference between an R’nR and a Magliner (oh, you could buy a Magliner that will last forever for the money you keep dumping into R’nR’s every few years), it’s the convenience and capability of the R’nR.
 
Interesting. I don't know if that's a normal attitude here in town. I know some lucky dogs that have the older versions (red/grey) before the company was sold...those are built much sturdier but I've never even seen one on ebay.
 
Josh Bass said:
Interesting. I don't know if that's a normal attitude here in town. I know some lucky dogs that have the older versions (red/grey) before the company was sold...those are built much sturdier but I've never even seen one on ebay.
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One of my friends has an old grey ‘n red version. You can definetly see/feel the change in quality over the years. Some good. Some(too much) bad. My first set was black ‘n yellow, but they were still built much sturdier than today’s(except for maybe the 16). This was the early 2000’s when I bought it. The only weak link in the chain back then was the front casters. They sucked donkey @ss, but the frame was solid. After you replaced the front casters with real ones, you could haul more than one person should be pushing or pulling by-themselves. I know I met or exceeded the 500lb weight limit on a regular basis.
 
Are there any companies that make a better Rock n Roller? The R12 I have is pretty much on death's door, and the newer ones that I have used on shoots I've hated. I've got my trusty backstage magliner, but need a 2nd cart for pelican's and was just going to go with an OG magliner since they will last.
 
robmneilson said:
Are there any companies that make a better Rock n Roller? The R12 I have is pretty much on death's door, and the newer ones that I have used on shoots I've hated. I've got my trusty backstage magliner, but need a 2nd cart for pelican's and was just going to go with an OG magliner since they will last.
Click to expand...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1272205-REG/on_stage_utc2200_compact_expandale_utility.html

This cart seems to be a direct competitor that has tried to improve on some of the inconveniences of the RocknRoller (see their comments in their youtube video). Knowing that they had an eye on improving the cart I would have liked to purchase one from them in hopes of better quality control, but they only have one size cart right now that didn't extend as long as I would have liked. Something to keep an eye on though. Like Josh mentioned above quality control seems to be something that Rocknroller isn't working on (because the requests/complaints are everywhere), so it would be nice if a company came along, fixed those things and just charged a little more - there's tons of pricing room between RnR and the next avail cart.
 
Josh Bass said:
The thing that a lot of folks dont like about RnRs is the quality control. You may get a good one, or you may get one where the smart wheels dont always touch the ground at the same and one wheel often wobbles (like I did). Over time your handles may bend outward instead of staying 90 degrees (like mine do) be because all that keeps those handles upright is two tiny pieces of metal that can get bent. Your big/dumb wheels may start getting wobbly and loose over time (like mine did) for no apparent reason, it may start rolling really rough like there’s twice as much weight on it (like mine does) and your axles may develop a slight bow (like mine did).

So um, welcome to ownership, I guess?
Click to expand...


Haha. I plan on taking my cart over to my buddy's shop to weld some offset cross bars, make my own shelf, and then really look the cart over and see if there's any of those weaknesses that we can reinforce while still preserving the portability of the cart. I would have gladly paid $100 more for a better version of the cart, but they just don't exist so I'm looking at this cart as a fixer upper....
 
If you're going RnR and want a better top shelf, check out the mod the top commenter shows off on this Amazon R12RT page. A good idea (for example: it just drops on; doesn't bolt on like the standard RnR shelf(, and pix too:
https://www.amazon.com/Rock-N-Roller-R12RT-Multi-Cart-Platform-Telescoping/dp/B003AYLJXU

For example:
RnR_Shelf_Mod.jpg

As for Magliners, yes they are heavy and not as foldable as RnRrs, but some friends switched the default and heavy pneumatic wheels to the "all plastic" replacement wheels. I can't recall the exact models (but I intend to find out since my Jr could stand a bit of a diet); they say those wheels are fine with the loads we carry (ie- lots of weight, but nothing like some Magliner users): https://www.magliner.com/product/replacement-parts/wheels
 
chris f said:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1272205-REG/on_stage_utc2200_compact_expandale_utility.html

This cart seems to be a direct competitor that has tried to improve on some of the inconveniences of the RocknRoller (see their comments in their youtube video)...
Click to expand...
I decided to pick up one of these for myself (OMB on-location stuff). I've never owned a cart of any type so I can't comment on how it compares to the RnR, but I've seen and read a lot about them and know what their problems are. I don't need a huge cart for the type of stuff I do so it's small size is great for me, and it fits in my car with all the gear I need no problem. I can stand on the center of the cart fully extended and it feels really solid (I'm 240lbs). I'd have no qualms about loading it up to capacity. I read somewhere they may be coming out with a shelf soon but I don't know anything about it.

The GripnGaff R6 bag fits the handles really well but the bottom of the bag can drag on the rear wheels or the ground if you're not careful. I mostly use it flipped around on the inside of the cart and it's fine like that. I don't need all the real estate the cart provides fully extended anyway.

I guess the only downsize is it's a little low for all 6'2' of me to reach comfortably.
 
Thanks for that link Chris. Will add it to my B&H list for when the current rock n roller gives up the ghost. I think I'm going to set it on fire when I'm done for all the annoyance it's caused me.
 
I have that on stage cart linked above. I thought when I ordered it that it was basically a clone of the RnR since it looks similar in the pic. It's much smaller than my RnR including wheels. It seems well made though and I use it for smaller jobs. Since I've rigged out my R12 with shelves and mounts for slider it's no longer compact so the on stage cart serves as my compact cart.
The handle on the on stage is a little low (I'm 6'3) and I wish the front wheels were larger but I got it on sale and am happy with it. It seems a little less crudely made then the RnR
 
Not knocking the quality, just surprised at the obvious design rip. I consider myself to need a bigger cart, so if they make larger models in the future I might look into it.
 
The Rock n Roller Stealth is a pretty good deal. Adding the grip bag and a table top option turn it into a fully featured camera cart.

There is a 2 tier table top that is great for a camera/DIT cart for tiny shoots.

The main benefit is what others have said, the RnR carts are tiny and light weight and fold up small. They do have a weight limit, and exceeding it will invariably warped or bend something, but they are tough little buggers.

For under $500, you get a solution that is more light weight and versatile than any other system. But definitely not as durable for heavy productions. But you’ll kkow of you need more.


My only gripe, is wishing the table tops were easier to set up. The screws are fiddly. Need to get some aircraft safety pins, or something.
 
Run&Gun said:
I picked up a few recently when they were basically giving them away($17-$18?). I like the idea, BUT they are too small(at least the version they were liquidating). They can take a tripod and a C-stand and that's about it. Or maybe two-three light stands if that's all you put in it. I can get way more gear on the "bull-nose"/add-on platform for the Rock 'N Roller.
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I rolled a grip bag overloaded, had three cstands, a light stand, a small tripod, mic boom, a few umbrellas, and rolled it 3miles over bumpy terrain, and they survived. Maybe they are more heavy duty this days? Idk. I wish they were still $18, but i don’t foresee needing a replacment soon. That said, a grip bag is going to fail at some point. Just no way around it.
 
Do you guys not have the bags with the round disc at the bottom? I have the older ones made by a local awning company...many folks have had theirs for years and they will hold up for a long time, can probably be patched if needed. I think the weight limit on an RnR is something like 500 lbs. I would swear mine starts acting goofy way under that.
 
Josh Bass said:
Do you guys not have the bags with the round disc at the bottom? I have the older ones made by a local awning company...many folks have had theirs for years and they will hold up for a long time, can probably be patched if needed. I think the weight limit on an RnR is something like 500 lbs. I would swear mine starts acting goofy way under that.
Click to expand...

My bag has the disc. Looks like a bucket lid. The home depot type.

I wouldn’t want to subject a rock n roller to 500lbs. Maybe in an airport with relativelt smooth floors., not not outdoors, or even a side walk. Thise little micro bumps with 500lbs can be pretty severe over time.


Also, i haven’t done this, but i may consider adding one of these to support mor cstands and weight in the bag, if i ever get to that stage:
Rock N Roller Cart Extension Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FPWJ07M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fj9eDbXDERDK2

But this is the two level shelf that is good for DIT setps on the move:

Rock-N-Roller RSHM2T 2-Tier Multi Media Shelf (for R8, R10, R11G, and R12 Multi-Carts) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XRZM11/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Wi9eDbA15DFE4
...the only issue with this shelf is that you cannot extend or stretch out the cart. So, not so great when used with a lof of bags, pelis, and such.
 
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