| Perhaps you may remember the older suitcases | | | | However, yet again there were differences, and |
| without wheels. If you had the misfortune to | | | | still are, which greatly affect how successful this |
| have to drag such a suitcase about with you on | | | | new design is. Many wheels today are built in the |
| holiday you may also recall the backache and | | | | same way as inline roller skates, which make for |
| grunting which accompanied your trip. Fortunately, | | | | a very smooth and easy rolling motion. This is in |
| for many years now, wheeled suitcases have | | | | stark contract to older and cheaper models which |
| been available to make life much easier. | | | | still use a ball bearing based construction. This can |
| However, simply purchasing or having a suitcase | | | | lead to the bearing getting very hot and sticking, |
| which has wheels is not the end of the story, and | | | | resulting in you having to drag the case rather |
| it is worthwhile giving consideration to a number | | | | than roll it. There is also a tendency for these |
| of factors, including the size and construction of | | | | types of cases to develop interesting squeaks |
| the wheels, the orientation of the case, the type | | | | which will help you to be noticed, and break up |
| of handle, and even the way the suitcase is | | | | the otherwise peaceful surroundings. |
| packed, since all of these will greatly influence the | | | | Even the best designed baggage is subject to one |
| effectiveness of the wheels themselves. | | | | final influence which will greatly affect the way in |
| When wheeled cases first became available, they | | | | which it achieves stability and ease of movement. |
| were placed at the bottom of the case as it | | | | Often forgotten or ignored, but the way in which |
| would be carried in the conventional manner. In | | | | the case is packed will greatly affect its ease of |
| other words, with the longest narrow side at the | | | | movement. Just as in a supermarket, if you pack |
| bottom, and the wider panels vertical. These | | | | all the heavy items in the front of the trolley it |
| cases often had leashes attached to the top | | | | becomes more unstable and heavier to steer and |
| corner, and were pulled along behind you. Whilst | | | | control, your suitcase will be affected by the |
| this made a considerable difference as far as | | | | distribution of weight inside. The best advice is |
| ease of transport was concerned, they were also | | | | that if you have heavier objects, place them at |
| notoriously unstable, toppling over very easily, and | | | | the bottom of the case, with lighter objects on |
| requiring much steadying and balancing. | | | | top. Not only will this tend to protect the lighter, |
| Airline staff were the first to begin using a newer | | | | more easily crumpled or damaged objects, but will |
| design which rotated the suitcase up so that it | | | | greatly improve the overall stability of your case. |
| was in a taller, vertical position, with the smallest | | | | Finally, also worth a mention is a tip about |
| side at the bottom and top. These often had | | | | whether to pull, or push your case. Generally, |
| trolley type handles which could be retracted | | | | pulling is easier, but if you do have a heavy case, |
| from the body of the case, and greatly improved | | | | try pushing it instead. This can also greatly |
| stability and ease of movement. | | | | improve the ease of steering. |