That 4 wheel spinner suitcases aren't very good?

[gentlesea]

I have one and unless it's on a completely smooth surface ie the airport, it doesn't glide on 4 wheels. If it's on a pavement etc I have to drag it along on 2 wheels. But I see other people with spinners using it on 4 wheels on pavements - do I just have a rubbish one?

I need to buy a new cabin suitcase. Just wondering if I should try a different make of 4 wheel suitcase or just get a 2 wheel one (which is likely to be lighter too).

I have both Brics and Samsonite and both move really freely, I'd not be going back to a 2 wheeled one. How are you packing it? Heavier stuff at the bottom makes it easier.

I much prefer my four wheeler to my old two wheeler.

We all bought carry-on suitcases from Briggs & Riley a couple of years ago and they’re brilliant. DC and I have the Wide Mouth Cabin Spinner, and DH has a larger one, they’ve been on 7 holidays and we’ve never had any problems with the wheels. They’re fairly expensive, but come with a lifetime guarantee for repairs.

I’ve got cheapo Primark 4 wheel suitcases. They work fantastically, both at the airport/on smooth indoor surfaces and on pavements/outdoor tarmac/paved surfaces. I struggled on more textured surfaces, but would with a 2 wheel as well.

my 10 year old manages it fine too (main reason for buying)

Fucking hate them and wish you could still easily get two-wheelers.

It depends a bit on the type of surface (and maybe to an extent what's the most comfortable way for you to hold the handle while you're walking I think) but I really like mine, it's mostly brilliant. I wheeled it a mile and a half on Saturday with no bother! And as all four-wheelers function as two-wheelers as well anyway, you lose nothing by having a four-wheeler really.

Game changer.

Good point about the handle, I don't have it fully extended, I drop it down a little and it makes it easier to pull when full

You have to make sure whatever you get matches the airline you most regularly fly on. I know that sounds like a no brainer but, for example, KLM only allows a smaller bag than the one allowed on, say, Ryanair priority.

Same with personal item bags.

Make sure you check that out before you buy.

I'm making a habit now of flying hand luggage only - no particularly fancy recommendations, sorry - so I have to make sure on size because I don't want to pay for checked luggage.

You have to make sure whatever you get matches the airline you most regularly fly on. I know that sounds like a no brainer but, for example, KLM only allows a smaller bag than the one allowed on, say, Ryanair priority.

Don't be one of those people cramming their 4-wheelers on the overhead luggage rack sideways and taking up all the room because they can't fit tn in lengthways with the wheels.

I can't understand why you can't just use it as a 2 wheeled one. I switch between pushing and dragging when I use my 4 wheeled one

I was just going to say the same.
You can tilt it as you would a two wheeler to pull along the same as you would a two wheeler.
I love my quad wheeled suitcases,I've never had a problem with them whatever the terrain.

Why can't you tilt it

most wheely suitcases say in the description that they are to be used on smooth surfaces only (as if).

dunno, maybe there is a quality difference between cheap and expensive ones.

After having mediocre suitcases we splurged on Samsonite ones and it's a game changer. You definitely get what you pay for and the wheels work perfectly regardless of surface.

You can just pull it as if it's a two wheeler when you need to. That's the point.

I splashed out on an Antler one almost ten years ago now when I got my graduate job and would be travelling a bit. It's still going strong and I absolutely love it. I didn't realize one could become emotionally attached to a suitcase 😂

Is sounds like I might just have a naff one then if everyone else is managing to roll it along pavements with 4 wheels?

And to PPs I can and do tilt it to use as a 2 wheeler but was hoping I wouldn't have to do that the majority of the time!