Thursday, July 11, 2024

Carry-on luggage with large wheels

This is kinda a silly post; I tried to ask for help with this on Reddit but "something went wrong with your post" and I could never get it to work. Then, after extended searching, I answered my own question. So in case anyone else is looking for this, I am posting my research here in blog form:

2-wheels vs 4-wheels

Many years ago I had the unfortunate experience of my spinner luggage's small wheels breaking mid-trip. I had to carry it for the rest of my vacation. Ever since then I have tried to only buy luggage with larger wheels, e.g. 3", which I assume are more reliable. Some might debate that assumption but I reason that physically-bigger wheels are stronger (less like to collapse), also the larger diameter means the hub rotates slower (less wear on the bearings). And, larger wheels are better on uneven surfaces. 

The only way to get bigger wheels is to buy 2-wheel luggage, i.e., not the more-popular 4-wheel 'spinner' design. Unfortunately, as I look for new luggage today, most of the 2-wheel carry-on's appear to have the same small 2" wheels as the spinner bags. For instance, the Travelpro MaxLite5 has 2" wheels (their online chat quoted "50mm").

My research

Most listings do not list the wheel size, instead they just assure you, "high-performance wheels, they're sooo good." Also I could not find any way to search for "luggage 2-wheel large wheels." Instead I kept reading reviews of recommended luggage, then checked-out the recommended 2-wheelers. In doing so, I found the following 2-wheel bags with large wheels:

 

 


Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel

 

 

 




Osprey Ozone 40L

 

 

 

 

 


Yeti Crossroads 35L

  • $350
  • https://www.yeti.com/bags/luggage/26010000236.html
  • This is also for-sale on Amazon but not at any discount
  • 22 inch height, 35 liter capacity
  • this is a hybrid, i.e., the back-side is hard-shell 
  • 7.5 lb, heavy!
  • I couldn't find the wheel size but you can see that they're large, at least 3 inch
  • for some reason, they only provide a 3-year warranty. Maybe they assume people buying such a 'rugged' bag will subject it to hard travel?
  • in the Amazon comments, one reviewer complained that the zippers are waterproof -- but this also makes them difficult to use.
     

 

 

 


 TopoDesigns Global Traveler ROLLER

 

 

 

 

 


 Samsonite Armage II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Traveler's Choice Conventional II

  • $125
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GCBW8LU/
  • 21 inch height (I couldn't find the capacity)
  • 3.25 inch wheels
  • 8.6 lb, heavy
  • is this model discontinued? I couldn't find it on the manufacturer's web-site. They only make 4-wheel spinners now.
  • Even though this seems like a good choice, I am reluctant to pay so much for an off-brand's old model. Maybe if it was closer to $50!
  • also, the Amazon comments say the zipper breaks, as do the wheels, doh
     

 

 

 

Final Comments

 I have previously purchased these other 'large-wheel' 2-wheel bags:

  • Travel Pro 22 and 28-in rollers
    • I'm not sure which models these are, though they look like the MaxLite?
    • 3.0 inch wheels
  • Travel Select 22-in carry-on
    • $45 !!
    • 2.5 inch wheels
    • this was ultra-cheap and generally works fine. But after just 3 trips the top handle ripped.
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Friday, February 2, 2024

How to remove a trash can lid

 (Wow, it's been 3 years since my last post? My, how time flies ... )

My local trash-collection service provides free replacement lids for our trash and recycle bins. But those lids are a PITA to remove and there's no advice or how-to's for removing them. I finally figured it out, though, and so now I am posting this quick explanation.

GENERAL INFO

  • First, you need to check the serial number of your trash/recycle bin to see if it's still under-warranty. At least where I live, that's 10 years. There should be a reference list on your trash service's web-site identifying which serials are still supported.
  • Also, worst case, you can always just throw the entire bin in your van or truck and drive down to the trash service's office -- and they'll figure it all out for you. If it's not under-warranty then they might require that you purchase a new one. Again, where I live, the recycle bins are always a free replacement, even if they're out-of-warranty

INSTRUCTIONS

  • The lids are held-on by 2 really-strong plastic pins. Those pins have 2 slots cut in the side to allow the pin to 'squeeze in' just enough to click into place. The key to removing them is to grab onto those slots and yank the pin out. (Which is easier said than done.)
  • First, use your fingers or a screwdriver etc to pull the pin out as far as possible. This is only about half-inch but that's enough to expose the slots.
  • Second, find a screwdriver that is small enough to fit through the slots. (It needs to be long enough and strong enough, too, i.e., you can't use a small screwdriver!)
  • Third, jam the screwdriver all the way through the pin and the slots.
  • Finally, twist the screwdriver around until the tip is braced against the side of the trash bin. This is to give you more leverage. Now, just yank the thing out!

This was -- by far -- the easiest way to remove these pins. I originally made the mistake of trying to wedge the pin out using just the tip of the screwdriver and only 1 side/slot. I also tried an assortment of pliers but nothing could grip it well enough.

FYI - here's another picture which shows the pin after I pulled it out 🙂 You can clearly see the slot and how I was able to jam the screwdriver through.

 

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