Transporting Your Gear

Now don't laugh too hard David, but since Bill's Kerri-Kart is too large for my needs and for my vehicle I opted for a cart much like the rock and roller made by UltimateSupport Equipment the JamStands Karma Cart (http://www.ultimatesupport.com/products/equipment-carts.html)which looks like the RockandRoller but is much less expensive and works damn well, is made in the USA and has great customer support. I had an issue with mine, wrote an email this morning and it was solved by noon.
Here is a photo of my gear on the cart and then in my diesel production vehicle.
 

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Hey Brian, Nothing wrong with that cart if it does whet you need it to do.

And the prices are very reasonable for a cart that can tote between 200 and 300 pounds.
 
Does anyone have concerns with equipment left in vehicles for extended periods of time, in damp or very cold weather? HMI's or the like specifically?
 
forbyfiev said:
Does anyone have concerns with equipment left in vehicles for extended periods of time, in damp or very cold weather? HMI's or the like specifically?
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Never had any issue with it here in humid Southeast Louisiana. My ARRI kit lives in my SUV. I can't imagine that extreme cold is any issue with lighting units left in vehicle. Your biggest risk is of course theft.
 
How about long term vibrations and jarring? I was wondering about what things could be left in a van.
Vans get hot and cold sitting in parking lots. But they also drive along a lot of bumps and rattles going everywhere.
Vibration tends to cause things to come apart
 
firehawk said:
How about long term vibrations and jarring? I was wondering about what things could be left in a van.
Vans get hot and cold sitting in parking lots. But they also drive along a lot of bumps and rattles going everywhere.
Vibration tends to cause things to come apart
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Just about the only things I don't keep full time in my van are my camera/lens cart which I equip on a per shoot basis, and then roll on the van before the shoot. And any secondary lights which I spec and add to the van as needed. The majority of everything else rides in the van. I take very good care of my gear, and perform any required maintenance as needed.
 
firehawk said:
How about long term vibrations and jarring? I was wondering about what things could be left in a van.
Vans get hot and cold sitting in parking lots. But they also drive along a lot of bumps and rattles going everywhere.
Vibration tends to cause things to come apart
Click to expand...

On larger production trucks the bigger HMIs will ride up front. Depending on how the bulb is seated in the lighting fixture can dictate the orientation it travels in i.e. upright or face down on the barn doors. Any smaller van set up isn't likely going to be carrying huge HMIs anyway so it's not really a huge concern with smaller lights but can get very expensive if you're breaking bulbs that cost hundreds of dollars and up!

I put a thin yoga mat type foam material in the bottom of the crates that carry the lights and am happy enough. Of course, driving like a grandma is recommended too. I hate going over speed bumps diagonally...

I'll post some van photos soon.

Anyway I can't speak about extreme cold but I wouldn't worry about leaving items in really hot weather.
 
The biggest issue with leaving lights in your van during very cold weather is going to be allowing time to let them climatize to an indoor temperature and wiping off any condensation before you strike.
 
rock n roller still going strong:

2x Dedos, BBS area 48, Aputure light storm, dana dolly, boxes, cinesaddle, shot bags, gels/diff, power cables

8x c stands, 2x low boy combos, combo stand, camera bag, reflector.

That is all.

IMG_5278.jpgIMG_5279.jpg
 
deltoidjohn said:
Rob, which model Rock 'n' Roller is this?
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Pretty sure it's the R12RT. I'm not quite sure, but i've heard they don't make them like they used to. I don't know any of the differences but it might be worth checking out.

I had the "extension racks" for either end, along with an extended top shelf but got rid of them because they took up too much space. Also, I keep it fully assembled now and really hate having to add the top shelf on location.

Since I bought it a few years ago, it looks like they've got an R16/R18 too.
 
Rock & Rollers have been my lifesaver so many times it's ridiculous. I have four of them, two Micros, an R10 and an R12. I put the wide track wheels on the front of my R12, like them much better, they don't sink into gravel and dirt as much. All of my Rock & Rollers have been working for over a decade. They never break, or fall apart, they just keep going. Whenever I see people with other carts, I just kind of shake my head, even Magliners. Too big and heavy and a PITA to setup and break down. Best kept secret in production IMHO. Micros will fit into normal airline overheads and hold up to 250-300 lbs.
 
Thanks for the tips.

I'm looking for a cart that a single person is able to comfortably sling up onto a car's roof-racks - do the Rock 'n' Rollers fit the bill here?

I just did a bit of research and the R12 looks like the way to go. How long does it take to set up or collapse one of these, including a top shelf? Is it a matter of a few minutes, or more like half an hour?
 
puredrifting said:
Rock & Rollers have been my lifesaver so many times it's ridiculous. I have four of them, two Micros, an R10 and an R12. I put the wide track wheels on the front of my R12, like them much better, they don't sink into gravel and dirt as much. All of my Rock & Rollers have been working for over a decade. They never break, or fall apart, they just keep going. Whenever I see people with other carts, I just kind of shake my head, even Magliners. Too big and heavy and a PITA to setup and break down. Best kept secret in production IMHO. Micros will fit into normal airline overheads and hold up to 250-300 lbs.
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I'm guessing you don't attach the top shelf to your R12? They'd be way better if you could drop them into place like magliners.
 
deltoidjohn said:
Thanks for the tips.

I'm looking for a cart that a single person is able to comfortably sling up onto a car's roof-racks - do the Rock 'n' Rollers fit the bill here?

I just did a bit of research and the R12 looks like the way to go. How long does it take to set up or collapse one of these, including a top shelf? Is it a matter of a few minutes, or more like half an hour?
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Yes only minutes. It's a pain if you're by yourself and it's upright because you need your hands to support the weight of the shelf but also to line up the holes then screw in the screws/nuts.

The best way to do it is laying it on its side. So while not particularly slow, I have a van where it can fit already assembled and am used to not having to set it up.

You shouldn't have a problem putting it on the roof, especially if you're deltoid john.
 
deltoidjohn said:
I'm looking for a cart that a single person is able to comfortably sling up onto a car's roof-racks - do the Rock 'n' Rollers fit the bill here?
Click to expand...
In the last week Ive seen 2 other guys using a Clax cart (distributed out of Melbourne for Aussie buyers).

It's no where near able to take the weight of a Rock&Roller but it's super light and folds down in a second.

If carrying a lot of gear then two trips may be necessary but I realise that may not always be practical.
 
rob norton said:
Yes only minutes. It's a pain if you're by yourself and it's upright because you need your hands to support the weight of the shelf but also to line up the holes then screw in the screws/nuts.

The best way to do it is laying it on its side. So while not particularly slow, I have a van where it can fit already assembled and am used to not having to set it up.

You shouldn't have a problem putting it on the roof, especially if you're deltoid john.
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Thanks Rob. I'd love to be able to wheel it in and out fully assembled (even better: fully loaded!) but unfortunately the need to have rear seats for the kids excludes a lot of vehicle options!

As for the deltoids, I'm certainly no body builder - my business name (Deltoid Productions) comes from my roots in surf film-making and is a reference to the fact that when you're surfing, the deltoid is the hardest working muscle.
 
For the RnR shelf, get rid of the screws and go with a clevis pin type set-up*, or better yet, do the mod where you add cross bars on the handles and flip the rails under the shelf so it just sits onto it, I did and it save a lot of time and aggravation.

* 11hBuJb1lCL.jpg
 
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