NCD: Gruv Gear V-Cart Solo

[elgecko]

I never thought I'd be geeking out over a cart but here I am.

I've had a Magnacart for years and and have moved giant piles of crap with it. It's super lightweight and compact and is just the thing for easy schleps. Lately it seems, my loads have gotten heavier and my load ins have gotten further. The shortcomings of the Magnacart become readily apparent. Heavier duty multi-carts typically have two modes: upright dolly and 4 wheel cart. Upright dolly mode is highly maneuverable but you have to support the weight of the load. 4 wheel cart mode is less maneuverable but all you have to do is push/pull.

If you've ever moved loaded 55 gallon drums, you know they can easily be 800 pounds. Every drum dolly transports them in a 4 wheel tilted mode, the optimum position to maneuver those heavy sons-of-*******. One multi-cart that does that is the Gruv Gear V-Cart Solo. I play with a guitarist who has one and I've been coveting his. A blemished one came up on the Guitar Center site and along with a coupon, I got a decent deal! I finally got to use it today!

Angel's Stadium in background

As you can see, there's room for plenty more. You can even cram stuff on the bottom deck. It was super easy to maneuver between banquet tables and it's solidly built (rated to 500 pounds) unlike the Magnacart, which you have to baby. That comes at a price. The V-Cart is heavier and takes up a lot of room compared with the Magnacart. With an upright on my back, it was a way casual, single-trip load in. I'm looking forward to heavier, further schleps!

 

[Thick McRunfast]

Looks like another piece of essential gear gets added to the list. Very nice

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I was debating one of these, are those wheels plastic or actual rubber tires?

 

[elgecko]

They're non-pneumatic rubber. Very solid.

 

[Marial]

I have one and it is definitely a back saver, but watch how you load it in and out of a vehicle. One of my wheels (the larger set) now sticks because it somehow got pushed in and the 'rubber' rubs on the frame. It's a very expensive piece of kit for something like that to happen. At this price point I would give these a very qualified endorsement. Gear for loading gear should be tougher than this.

 

[elgecko]

I have one and it is definitely a back saver, but watch how you load it in and out of a vehicle. One of my wheels (the larger set) now sticks because it somehow got pushed in and the 'rubber' rubs on the frame. It's a very expensive piece of kit for something like that to happen. At this price point I would give these a very qualified endorsement. Gear for loading gear should be tougher than this.

Wow, that sucks! I'm trying to picture in my mind how that would happen but can't. I'll have to look at it when I get home and be careful with it.

 

[Marial]

I've been trying to figure it out too...

 

[Immigrant]

It's probably just the photo, but your bass appears to be bending. Unless you like a bunch of relief, then never mind.

Nice cart. It gives me hope and ideas for the future.

 

[Dug2]

http://www.gruvgear.com/products

 

[bassinplace]

Nice!

 

[elgecko]

I have one and it is definitely a back saver, but watch how you load it in and out of a vehicle. One of my wheels (the larger set) now sticks because it somehow got pushed in and the 'rubber' rubs on the frame. It's a very expensive piece of kit for something like that to happen. At this price point I would give these a very qualified endorsement. Gear for loading gear should be tougher than this.

I wonder if the bearings went bad. Have you pulled the offending wheel off and taken a look? I looked and the wheel is nowhere near a tube that it could rub against without crazy bending of the frame.

It's probably just the photo, but your bass appears to be bending. Unless you like a bunch of relief, then never mind. ...

I *do* like high action!

 

[MJ5150]

Do you have a picture of it all folded up for storage, with no gear on it? I'm not really sure I need one of these, but it looks cool enough to hang on the wall in the garage for one of those 'just in case I need this' moments. I could put tools and stuff on it.

-Mike

 

[elgecko]

BAM!

 

[Marial]

I wonder if the bearings went bad. Have you pulled the offending wheel off and taken a look? I looked and the wheel is nowhere near a tube that it could rub against without crazy bending of the frame.

It's possible. I'll take photos tonight and post them here.

 

[MJ5150]

I was hoping for you to post a pic of yours, but that will do. Thanks buddy.

-Mike

 

[Stingray5]

friggin love my v-cart:

Hands down one of the best gear investments I've ever made.

I've even used it at home to move appliances. It scratches easily as the black metal tubing makes direct contact with the ground, but that's just cosmetic and doesn't affect me.

The bungees are a must and have so fat withstood 2 years of gigging with no signs of wear/stretching.

 

[elgecko]

...I've even used it at home to move appliances...

That's partly how I justified the expense. I didn't already own a heavy duty cart for use around the house.

BTW, that's a BIG cab! I bet the cart makes it feel like a feather.

 

[9mmMike]

friggin love my v-cart:

Hands down one of the best gear investments I've ever made.

I've even used it at home to move appliances. It scratches easily as the black metal tubing makes direct contact with the ground, but that's just cosmetic and doesn't affect me.

The bungees are a must and have so fat withstood 2 years of gigging with no signs of wear/stretching.

This is pushing me over the edge for buying one of these! Nice cab!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Can any of your Gruv Gear V-Cart Solo owners comment on exactly how wide the base section is when used in hand truck mode? Does gear tend to slide around on the tube sides? I'm especially keen to hear reviews on the "Carpeted Puzzle Deck" and how they attach to the base section and back. Seems like they simply rest in place and might get jossled off easily? I have a Fearless 210 and "fear" it might be too narrow to fit on the base section without a Puzzle Deck. The cab is 13.75" wide and 15.5" deep. Thank you.

 

[elgecko]

The distance between the center of the tubes in 4 wheel horizontal mode (left picture above) is roughly 13.5"

The distance between the center of the tubes in 2 wheel upright mode (right picture above is roughly 12".

Either way should be plenty if you lay the cab along its 15.5" axis. I only use the tilted v-mode with bungees and have never experienced sliding...gravity helps keep the stuff in place. You can apply grip tape to the tubes if you want more sliding resistance. I've never felt the need to use the deck. For reference, those cabs are 17" across the way they're laid.

They show the deck in this video and it looks like they snap in between the tubes. I'm sure it's secure however they fit.