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Not golf cart as we think of it now, that thing you drive. The old one that had two wheels and you put your bag on it and hauled it around the course. My dad used to pay me 50 cents to caddy for him with one of those. But I never lasted more than nine holes. I always was a little thang.

In my continuing search to avoid falling over and smashing something very valuable while tottering with my tuba, the guy who put on my JoyKey told me that an old tuba friend, when his health was failing, used the old style of golf cart for his tuba. Two wheels that actually folded under when not in use, and an adjustable, long handle. Put a small platform on the bottom with some padding, a couple of bungies, and he was set. I don't remember seeing him use it, but at the time I had no trouble with the backpack style bag on my 184. I'll be off to Play It Again Sports next week to see what they have.

I have a cart similar to this for my tuba

http://www.target.com/p/narita-luggage- ... A-14125835" target="_blank

I have tried a couple of flimsy things and they were too, uh, flimsy for my use, meaning, they tip sideways too easily and I have not the strength to prevent that. I got the golf cart, and will see when I get around to putting a bottom shelf on it that works. $16. My hand truck would work wonderfully but will not easily go in the car and weighs a ton. The golf cart seems to be the best middle of the road alternative. However, over time I do seem to be getting less totter-y with it on my back. Last night leaving rehearsal I was standing by the door waiting to talk to someone, and a lady somewhat older than I am and carrying a violin case gave me a bug-eyed look and said "what IS that on your back?" And I said, "That's the TUBA." I should post a picture if I can figure out how to get one. It looks l like I'm carrying a building on my back, but it is only a Mphone 283. It does look bigger all loaded up than my 184 CC did.

Just last night the timpani player was saying she needs to get one of those (handicap hanger.) Three timpani and somehow she gets them in an SUV. She is twice my size and strength though. And timpani, while very awkward, are surprisingly not heavy compared to how they look.
I don't have to walk far; it's the balance that concerns me. With a flimsy cart, and i get one wheel off a step and the other one not (a real possibility) then I wouldn't be able to prevent a catastrophe. So I have to rank things in possible catastrophe order.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've seen several people use those carts that are sold for luggage. There are also small folding hand carts. (I have one it works great) The wheels are generally a little small, but they do have lots of places for bungee cords to attach. Although the golf cart idea has merit, the wide wheels when it is folded out and the weight seem to be very difficult limitations for that idea.

The most famous name of golf bag pull-carts is Bag Boy. Decades ago when I started playing golf, I had my Dad's until it broke, and then still have my replacement from (mumble) decades ago, even though with hip issues I'm not playing golf this season.

The deal with pull carts: the brackets at the top and at the bottom are specifically designed for moderate sized golf bags, which are about 9 or 10 inches in diameter; and the height of the top bracket usually cannot be adjusted, as most golf bags are about the same height, dating from when most golfers used standard sized clubs, not the oversized "balloons on a stick" that are now common. This may or may not be of sufficient width to put a tuba case on them edge wise, and as a corollary the straps may or may not be long enough to wrap completely around a tuba case.

Just some observations from someone who has had two of them.

Thanks. It doesn't weigh much at all (plastic) and I do expect to have to mess with it. At $16 no big deal. And it will go in the back seat while Mr Tuba goes in the hatch in back.