What's the best way to walk with my luggage if the handle won't extend?
April 29, 2015 5:52 AM Subscribe
I'm going on a trip next week. Yay! I have a rolling suitcase. The handle won't extend; it's jammed and the button is stuck down. I would like to be able to walk with this suitcase without either hunching over and hurting my back or having it careen into me in a desperate bid for freedom as I walk down a hill.
The handle has been stuck before and sometimes I can get it to work but this time I've given up. I've jiggled it, I've tugged it, I've whacked it like the Fonz with a jukebox only when the Fonz hits things they start working.
I need to walk two miles or so to work and then get to the airport with this suitcase. My plan is just to tie a rope around the non-working handle to create a new handle so I can pull the suitcase along behind me, but that won't be rigid and I walk down a hill and I'm worried my suitcase will try to escape. Does anyone have any better ideas either for how to get the handle to extend or what to use instead? Thanks!
The handle has been stuck before and sometimes I can get it to work but this time I've given up. I've jiggled it, I've tugged it, I've whacked it like the Fonz with a jukebox only when the Fonz hits things they start working.
I need to walk two miles or so to work and then get to the airport with this suitcase. My plan is just to tie a rope around the non-working handle to create a new handle so I can pull the suitcase along behind me, but that won't be rigid and I walk down a hill and I'm worried my suitcase will try to escape. Does anyone have any better ideas either for how to get the handle to extend or what to use instead? Thanks!
Maybe, since this is a regular problem with this suitcase, it's time to surrender and just replace the thing entirely?
But if you can't do that, for the downhill parts of your walk I'd just let the suitcase lead the way, like an eager dog pulling on it's leash: pull from the front when going uphill, restrain from the rear when headed down.
posted by easily confused at 6:06 AM on April 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
But if you can't do that, for the downhill parts of your walk I'd just let the suitcase lead the way, like an eager dog pulling on it's leash: pull from the front when going uphill, restrain from the rear when headed down.
posted by easily confused at 6:06 AM on April 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
It's busted. It's been busted for a while, but you've managed to save it. You're going to need to buy a new suitcase at some point. That point is now!
posted by devnull at 6:08 AM on April 29, 2015
posted by devnull at 6:08 AM on April 29, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks for these responses; I'm aware I need a new suitcase but I'm leaving Friday morning and I'm not getting one between now and then.
The hill down which I'm walking has some really crummy sidewalks and uneven pavement and I'm not sure the suitcase will roll down them smoothly but it's worth a shot. Any other suggestions are appreciated!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:16 AM on April 29, 2015
The hill down which I'm walking has some really crummy sidewalks and uneven pavement and I'm not sure the suitcase will roll down them smoothly but it's worth a shot. Any other suggestions are appreciated!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:16 AM on April 29, 2015
I love fixing things, but in this case, I might look to borrow one from a friend for this upcoming trip and buy another one when convenient.
If you try the rope business, is the hill short enough that carrying it by hand over that section would be workable?
posted by advicepig at 6:18 AM on April 29, 2015
If you try the rope business, is the hill short enough that carrying it by hand over that section would be workable?
posted by advicepig at 6:18 AM on April 29, 2015
Between now and Friday is enough time for an emergency trip to a place like Marshall's or TJMaxx for a new suitcase, which is what I would do in your situation.
If that is legit impossible, then what I would do is go nuclear option on that handle. Throw everything you've got at it. Take the claw part of a hammer and wedge it down under the stuck handle and try your damnedest to pry it up. You're a primate, use tools. If you can get it up, tie something around the handle so it can't get jammed back down again.
If there's just no way, then I'd pack super light and do the rope thing.
But really I'd be doing whatever possible to rearrange my schedule so I could buy a new suitcase tonight or tomorrow.
posted by phunniemee at 6:26 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
If that is legit impossible, then what I would do is go nuclear option on that handle. Throw everything you've got at it. Take the claw part of a hammer and wedge it down under the stuck handle and try your damnedest to pry it up. You're a primate, use tools. If you can get it up, tie something around the handle so it can't get jammed back down again.
If there's just no way, then I'd pack super light and do the rope thing.
But really I'd be doing whatever possible to rearrange my schedule so I could buy a new suitcase tonight or tomorrow.
posted by phunniemee at 6:26 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Take a cab to work for one day?
posted by 256 at 6:30 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by 256 at 6:30 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
The issue you have can probablt be fixed by a decent luggage store, appliance fixit man or tinker-slash-maker.
posted by boo_radley at 6:33 AM on April 29, 2015
posted by boo_radley at 6:33 AM on April 29, 2015
I'd try to pry up the button with a screwdriver. If you are lucky, it will pop-up and release the handle but now the handle won't "stay" up which is annoying but tolerable for this trip.
You can look inside, unzip the bit that hides the handles and see if the channels (?) are bent which is preventing the handle from sliding out. You can use pressure to re-align them but chances are, the handle will now be permanently up and that's not going to work if the bag is checked.
I only use cheap bags which get beat to shit the way I travel so I don't mind using brute force to fix a problem.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:47 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
You can look inside, unzip the bit that hides the handles and see if the channels (?) are bent which is preventing the handle from sliding out. You can use pressure to re-align them but chances are, the handle will now be permanently up and that's not going to work if the bag is checked.
I only use cheap bags which get beat to shit the way I travel so I don't mind using brute force to fix a problem.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:47 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Add another rope to the front near the wheels-- gravity will let it roll, and if it gets stuck, you can tug on the front rope and pop it up over obstructions. Or, if you always secretly wanted a razor scooter, buy one and lash the bag to that, and use that handle instead.
posted by blnkfrnk at 6:48 AM on April 29, 2015
posted by blnkfrnk at 6:48 AM on April 29, 2015
Best answer: Depending on the style of suitcase you have and what the issue is, you might be able to get in there and fix it. Here's one video, here's another.
posted by spelunkingplato at 6:50 AM on April 29, 2015
posted by spelunkingplato at 6:50 AM on April 29, 2015
Best answer: Can you remove the housing on the handle and see if there's something stuck or the spring has gotten unsprung? My retractable handle suitcase has little screws underneath to let you get into the housing.
posted by mochapickle at 6:55 AM on April 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 6:55 AM on April 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have been in this situation. I think I ended up tying a rope to the suitcase and dragging it. It was a nightmare. I threw the whole thing out before the end of the trip and it was all a much bigger pain in the ass than I had time to deal with.
You have to walk two miles with this thing?
If you don't have time to buy another suitcase, pack light and use a different bag you already own -- a backpack or large shoulder bag should be fine, even a large purse if you own one.
Life is too short to put yourself through the absolute hell of trying to drag a broken rolling suitcase for two miles. Basically any other solution would be better.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 7:14 AM on April 29, 2015 [13 favorites]
You have to walk two miles with this thing?
If you don't have time to buy another suitcase, pack light and use a different bag you already own -- a backpack or large shoulder bag should be fine, even a large purse if you own one.
Life is too short to put yourself through the absolute hell of trying to drag a broken rolling suitcase for two miles. Basically any other solution would be better.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 7:14 AM on April 29, 2015 [13 favorites]
Sorry to pile on but here is my opinion as a pro traveler. Walmart is open 24 hrs a day. A new roll-a-board suitcase from them is about $20. Do that. Better to squeeze out $20 and an hour now then during your very precious and limited travel time....
posted by chasles at 7:23 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by chasles at 7:23 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you do the rope thing, don't just pull it by a loose tail of rope. Tie the end that you will be holding into a loop. It will be much more comfortable and less likely to escape.
You'll want to pack your heavy items in the bottom as if it were standing, not the bottom when it is laying down. And you should try the rope a few different ways, but I think the shortest possible rope is going to work the best because it will keep the bag more upright. If you are checking the bag, they may want you to untie the rope and stuff it in your bag, so be prepared to do that. (I've had to do that with a duffel bag shoulder strap.)
posted by Night_owl at 7:32 AM on April 29, 2015
You'll want to pack your heavy items in the bottom as if it were standing, not the bottom when it is laying down. And you should try the rope a few different ways, but I think the shortest possible rope is going to work the best because it will keep the bag more upright. If you are checking the bag, they may want you to untie the rope and stuff it in your bag, so be prepared to do that. (I've had to do that with a duffel bag shoulder strap.)
posted by Night_owl at 7:32 AM on April 29, 2015
You want a stick, not a rope, to replicate the handle. An umbrella would probably do, if it's the large golfing size. Not knowing the configuration of your suitcase, it's hard to say how to attach it. But with sufficient duct tape, anything is possible. That said, nthing the suggestion to buy, borrow or steal a new suitcase.
posted by beagle at 7:53 AM on April 29, 2015
posted by beagle at 7:53 AM on April 29, 2015
An umbrella would probably do, if it's the large golfing size. Not knowing the configuration of your suitcase, it's hard to say how to attach it. But with sufficient duct tape, anything is possible.
This would have to be completely dismantled before getting on the airplane.
posted by phunniemee at 7:55 AM on April 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
This would have to be completely dismantled before getting on the airplane.
posted by phunniemee at 7:55 AM on April 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
bungee cords around the outside!
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:59 AM on April 29, 2015
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:59 AM on April 29, 2015
You could get a foldable luggage dolly. You may have to hunt around for one unless you go to a luggage store, but they are cheaper than a new bag.
posted by soelo at 8:04 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by soelo at 8:04 AM on April 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks again, everyone! An awesome friend emailed me unsolicitedly and offered to lend a suitcase so I am all set. I'll try the tutorial videos tonight because 1) I am stubborn 2) I like trying to fix things but it looks like I have a plan.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:16 AM on April 29, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:16 AM on April 29, 2015 [7 favorites]
Glad you got the problem sorted, but I just wanted to add that when I had a similar problem (handle was extendible but just too. damn. short), I tied an overly long rope (actually belt) around it, so the thing was at no more than a 20 degree from the ground. This greatly increased its stability (tho to be fair, it was still an absolute PITA and I replaced it as soon as I could, haha).
posted by ClarissaWAM at 12:46 PM on April 29, 2015
posted by ClarissaWAM at 12:46 PM on April 29, 2015
If you still want to go the route of getting it fixed at some point, I recently had mine fixed at the place where we take to get our shoes repaired. Check your local yelp reviews for a good place.
posted by vignettist at 2:47 PM on April 29, 2015
posted by vignettist at 2:47 PM on April 29, 2015
Response by poster: I fixed it! I mean, sort of. A piece of metal inside the handle had broken so it was jamming the button and wasn't raising and lowering the tubes inside the extendy bits. I tried to glue it but the metal was worn through and kept breaking into smaller pieces so I stayed up until one am whittling a new piece out of a paintbrush handle which I have superglued to the button to push down the tubes so I can raise and lower the handle. Obviously.
I'm bringing a screwdriver with me in case I need to make adjustments and yeah at some point I'll buy a new suitcase because this is no way to live my life but I feel pretty good about this right now and I learned some new stuff about how telescoping luggage handles work. Thanks for the suggestions and to my Metafilter friend for offering a backup suitcase which gave me the confidence to take this one apart!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:00 PM on April 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm bringing a screwdriver with me in case I need to make adjustments and yeah at some point I'll buy a new suitcase because this is no way to live my life but I feel pretty good about this right now and I learned some new stuff about how telescoping luggage handles work. Thanks for the suggestions and to my Metafilter friend for offering a backup suitcase which gave me the confidence to take this one apart!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:00 PM on April 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by blnkfrnk at 6:06 AM on April 29, 2015 [1 favorite]