Baby Trend "Expedition" stroller - the perfect tuba carrier

[barry grrr-ero]

In my never ending quest for making it easier to haul a BAT and leather gig bag across a long parking lot (and up inclines, etc.), I've found that the Baby Trend "Expedition" model works the best, so far. It has a nice flat surface at the bottom to rest the bottom bow on. The bell rests comfortably upon the 'adult tray' at the top. All I had to do was take a hacksaw and cut off the plastic 'baby tray' in the middle. Best of all, the Expedition folds easily w/o having to remove the wheels (which are easy to remove if that's your preference). Popping it back out is a snap as well. It has a simple 'parking brake' that actually works. Going over curbs is pretty seamless with this thing too. These retail around $100, but I found a bunch of them for sale on Craigslist for much less.

Since college campuses often times involve long trecks and assorted inclines, I could see one of these being really useful at school.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hVWbXDEt78" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

[aqualung]

It also holds two beers. Perfect for tuba players.

[imperialbari]

Please, try taking a photo showing how safe the tuba rests in the stroller.

Klaus

[barry grrr-ero]

If I were going 40 mph over potholes, I'd worry about the tuba bouncing off the buggy. . . . It measures 18" where the tuba rests, if that helps. That might seem a bit narrow, but it rests on there just fine. Again, there is plenty of room at the bottom base to fit the bottom bow of the tuba. Gravity does the work for you.

Seriously, I don't think there would be any troubles going up or down a steep incline. However, if a pathway were steeply tilted from left to right (or right to left), I might avoid that. I do use a bungee chord. But really, my Neptune is heavy enough that it doesn't slide around at all. With the 'baby tray' sawed off, the tuba rests on it just fine. The bell rests right between the two beer-can receivers on the 'adult tray' (Neptune is 40" long in its leather bag). I store the bungee chord in that little compartment that the lady shows you.

You can buy wider and more heavy duty baby strollers, but they'll cost quite a bit more than this one. I like the "Expedition" because it's easy to fold and you don't have to remove the wheels. It's easy to apply the brakes, which actually work! I had another buggy that was more 'heavy duty', but it was a pain in the rear to work with.

I suck at taking digital photos and loading them into some kind of annoying program that I can't figure out. If you're thinking of experimenting, try finding one cheap on Craigslist or some other, similar kind of board.

[greenbean]

I bet, wheeling a BAT around campus on one of those, you could meet a lot of chicks.

[barry grrr-ero]

. . . especially if you offer them a ride on top of the BAT. Might be easy to rig into a mechanical bucking BAT for frat parties.

[Ulli]

I think, my Eckla Beach Rolly fits better. I use it for my tuba and also for my upright string bass.

http://www.eckla.de/beach-rolly-modelle.html" target="_blank

[barry grrr-ero]

The Amazon posting of it shows how your "beach rolly" breaks down. Very nice - that may be the best solution yet. But I also see that it sells for $200. I paid $25 for my baby stroller, used. I've also converted a used golf caddy, which I'm going to work on a bit more (until it's easier yet).

One nice thing about the "Expedition" stoller is that the wheel base is no wider than the Neptune tuba, which makes it easy to go through doors. Neptune is so heavy that it's not at all 'squirrel-y' on the stroller. Hence, no real need to be wider.

https://www.amazon.com/Eckla-Beach-Roll ... +gear+cart" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

[tofu]

If I were going 40 mph over potholes, I'd worry about the tuba bouncing off the buggy. . . . It measures 18" where the tuba rests, if that helps. That might seem a bit narrow, but it rests on there just fine. Again, there is plenty of room at the bottom base to fit the bottom bow of the tuba. Gravity does the work for you.

Seriously, I don't think there would be any troubles going up or down a steep incline. However, if a pathway were steeply tilted from left to right (or right to left), I might avoid that. I do use a bungee chord. But really, my Neptune is heavy enough that it doesn't slide around at all. With the 'baby tray' sawed off, the tuba rests on it just fine. The bell rests right between the two beer-can receivers on the 'adult tray' (Neptune is 40" long in its leather bag). I store the bungee chord in that little compartment that the lady shows you.

You can buy wider and more heavy duty baby strollers, but they'll cost quite a bit more than this one. I like the "Expedition" because it's easy to fold and you don't have to remove the wheels. It's easy to apply the brakes, which actually work! I had another buggy that was more 'heavy duty', but it was a pain in the rear to work with.

I suck at taking digital photos and loading them into some kind of annoying program that I can't figure out. If you're thinking of experimenting, try finding one cheap on Craigslist or some other, similar kind of board.

Thanks for the interesting idea. I never thought of using something like that for tuba transport. Around here people are always putting out on the curb $300-800 baby strollers when the child no longer needs it. (I don't know why anyone would buy a new one when you can get one for free). I'll have to keep my eye out for one of those Expedition strollers out on the curb. To secure it I'd just use one or two of my Thule kayak straps.

[SmartFellerAl]

Yeah! Where's that apprentice program when you need it?

[imperialbari]

With a tuba in a gigbag the only relevant bearer is the owner-player. Nobody else will display the same degree of care and responsibility.

Klaus

[Three Valves]

The perfect tuba carrier (yes?) is "someone else".

Where's a good/affordable "bearer" when you need one...??

Ah, the good old days!!

[Ulli]

The Amazon posting of it shows how your "beach rolly" breaks down. Very nice - that may be the best solution yet. But I also see that it sells for $200.

$ 200- wow! Here in Germany only about 90 EURO :

https://www.autoteile-immhttps://www.au ... 0wodjWgBjg" target="_blank

[greenbean]

It is true that baby strollers can be had cheaply if you keep your eyes open. Particularly if you live in a city. I have seen at least one abandoned stroller per day out on the sidewalks where I live the past few weeks.

[ckalaher1]

It is true that baby strollers can be had cheaply if you keep your eyes open. Particularly if you live in a city. I have seen at least one abandoned stroller per day out on the sidewalks where I live the past few weeks.

Just be sure to rub the thing down with a bucket of Purell. Kids are filthy creatures.

[rodgeman]

The Amazon posting of it shows how your "beach rolly" breaks down. Very nice - that may be the best solution yet. But I also see that it sells for $200.

$ 200- wow! Here in Germany only about 90 EURO :

https://www.autoteile-immhttps://www.au ... 0wodjWgBjg" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I used this one with my Mirafone 186 (Price: $66.51 + $10.12 shipping) : https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Powersports ... S4C9NR5Z7V

It worked very well. I had a gig bag and used bungee cords to secure it.

[Art Hovey]

I got one like that about 3 years ago after someone posted it here. I found bungee cords with hooks that fit nicely onto the frame. But the tires are still smelly like a tire store; I have to keep it in the garage. Aside from the odor it works great and can also function as a fairly comfortable chair.