Category / Category 05 · Rolling loads
Wheeled & Trolley Cases
A wheeled case is a handling decision before it is a box. Wheels, handle position and pull direction decide whether one person can move the load across a car park, up a kerb and into a lift — or whether two people carry it and the wheels were wasted.
01 / What this category covers
Definition, scope and limits
Wheeled and trolley cases are larger plastic cases fitted with wheels and a fixed or telescopic handle, used when the load is too heavy or too bulky to carry by hand. They are bought for event and tour equipment, site service kits, display material, and multi-item instrument sets.
This page covers cases where mobility is the reason for the purchase. If the load is carried by hand, see equipment cases or tool cases.
The trade-off is volume against handling: a larger case holds more but concentrates load on a small wheel contact patch, and the pull direction changes the torque on the handle. Both are geometry decisions made at the design stage.
02 / Photographs
What this category looks like
All photographs are taken in our own facility or studio on the actual moulded parts. No stock image, no render, no borrowed model.
03 / Selection logic
What decides a wheeled case, in order
| Factor | Why it matters | What we need from you |
|---|---|---|
| Loaded weight | Drives wheel size, axle fixing and handle strength | Weight of the full load, not the case |
| Load centre | A heavy top makes the case tip when pulled | Item layout, or the heaviest item and its position |
| Pull direction | Two wheels upright, four wheels tilted — different handle loads | How the user will move it |
| Surfaces | Pavement joints and kerbs punish small wheels | Where it will actually be used |
| Transport | Air and courier handling adds constraint on size and weight | Mode of travel and any carrier limits |
Wheel and handle sets are specific to the model. Replacing a wheel set later is normally possible; changing the wheel position means a tool change, so it belongs to the design stage.
04 / Who buys this
Who this category is built for
- Event & tour production · audio, lighting and stage equipment moved by crew
- Field service · heavy tool and spares kits taken to site
- Instrument fleets · multi-device sets moved between rooms or buildings
- Retail & display · display material and samples for shows
05 / What can vary
Options and their conditions
| Option | Condition |
|---|---|
| Wheels | size and position; fixed or replaceable |
| Handle | telescopic or fixed, with grip options |
| Body | PP or ABS depending on the model and load |
| Interior | dividers, foam, EVA, or moulded cradles for heavy items |
| Corners | reinforcement where the case is dragged over kerbs |
| Identification | label plate, asset number, colour coding by kit |
06 / How an order runs
From enquiry to despatch
- 01 · You send application, required internal dimensions, quantity and any drawing or photo.
- 02 · We shortlist existing models and return measured dimensions, photographs and the applicable MOQ.
- 03 · If nothing fits, engineering reviews a custom route and states tooling cost and lead time separately.
- 04 · Sample stage: colour, interior and fit approved on a physical sample before the order.
- 05 · 30% deposit → production → inspection → balance → EXW or FOB despatch.
07 / FAQ
How much weight can a wheeled case carry?
We do not publish a figure, because it depends on the case, the wheel set and where the weight sits. Tell us the loaded weight and layout and engineering confirms it for that configuration.
Can the wheels be replaced when they wear out?
On most models the wheel set is a service part. Say at quotation stage that you want it reorderable and we record it against the model.
Will it fit in a car boot?
Send the vehicle opening dimensions you need to clear; that constraint usually decides between two otherwise similar sizes.
Can it be checked as luggage?
We do not advise on airline limits; those change by carrier. We can confirm dimensions and loaded weight so you can check them.
Related: Equipment cases · Protective cases · Custom interiors · RFQ