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There is a moment in every photographer’s career when a single camera bag is no longer enough. Maybe it starts with one C-stand, then a sandbag, a hard case of lenses, a power station, and before you know it, you are making three trips back to the car. This is the point where you have to stop looking for a bigger bag and start looking for a smarter solution. RockNRoller has long been a staple for road crews, and its new R9 Mighty series is aimed squarely at creatives who want that same level of reliability offroad and on mixed terrain.
The new R9 promises robust, all-terrain performance to get your equipment from point A to B, no matter the obstacles. RockNRoller claims it makes loading 20% easier because the bed frame (where the gear goes) is 20% lower to the ground. Among other improvements, including upgraded wheel bearings and a 20% smaller size when folded, this cart represents an ideal option for any photographer or videographer who needs to easily move around a bunch of gear.
Build Quality and Design
From the moment you unbox the R9, it is clear that it is built for work. The frame is constructed from high-strength, powder-coated steel that feels ready for heavy use. Details like the spring-loaded wing bolts for adjusting the frame give it a secure, professional feel. The surface on the frame bed provides enough grip to keep cases and bags from shifting during transit without ripping up the fabric on camera bags.
When you are done shooting, the cart folds down quite compactly, collapsing to just 9.5 inches high. This makes it surprisingly easy to store in a packed vehicle or in a studio closet.
The most critical components for a gear cart are its wheels, and RockNRoller made no compromises. The R9 is outfitted with their wide 6-inch “Groundglider” front swivel casters and beefy fixed 8-inch “Groundglider” rear wheels. The tires are very durable and are “no-flat,” requiring no inflation—that’s really nice for an offroad-focused cart, where an errant cactus spike or thorn could render pneumatic tires useless. The upgraded steel ball bearings help the cart roll smoothly and quietly, even when fully loaded with gear. While I think these parts will all last a long time, RockNRoller also has great replacement part availability through their website in case something breaks.
It is worth noting the R9 Mighty has a bigger counterpart, the R9XLHD Mighty+. While the R9 I tested telescopes from 34 to 52 inches and has a 500-pound capacity, the R9XLHD pushes that to 38 to 60 inches and can carry up to 600 pounds. It’s a great option for small production crews or photographers with exceptionally large lighting kits who need the extra space.
Performance
The R9 is versatile, with RockNRoller claiming an 8-in-1 configuration, which includes conventional cart modes and a surprisingly useful “dolly” feature. In its shortest configuration, it is a surprisingly nimble dolly for navigating tight spaces. Extended to its full 52-inch length, it easily accommodates long items like light stands, tripods, or sliders that are awkward to carry by any other means.
Where the R9 earns its new Mighty nickname is when the pavement ends. Its frame sits lower to the ground than older or competing models. That lower center of gravity makes a tangible difference in stability and makes lifting heavy cases onto the bed noticeably easier. The larger wheels roll over grass, gravel, and dirt with minimal effort—a scenario where carts with smaller wheels would bog down. Only literal sandy beaches or dunes would be an issue, in my mind.
The integrated stair rail also helps in leveraging the cart over curbs, a common challenge at venues and locations, although using it to navigate curbs while loaded might leave your cart with some battle scars on the powder-coat finish.
Customization and Accessories
The base cart is a fantastic gear hauler, but it is equally capable as a production tool, thanks to RockNRoller’s accessory ecosystem. The optional shelf is my favorite attachment, instantly converting the cart into a mobile workstation. On location, this allows you to set up a laptop and card readers for a proper tethering station, keeping your electronics off the ground and at a comfortable working height.
Other accessories are designed to solve specific problems. The solid deck provides a clean, flat surface perfect for lens changes or organizing small accessories in the field. For those carrying multiple C-stands or tripods, the handle bags can contain them neatly, preventing them from clanking around or sliding off. This ability to customize the cart to your specific workflow is what elevates it from a simple dolly to an indispensable piece of production equipment.
While this cart niche has gotten more crowded in recent years with the rise of production and DIT carts, RockNRoller (even with accessories) is a far more affordable entry point into this segment and can more easily fall back to a simple gear-lugging solution for smaller shoots.
The RockNRoller R9 Mighty cart is a thoughtfully designed and ruggedly built piece of equipment that solves a real problem for working creators. It’s a helpful tool in the studio or on location, and it’s now even more capable in the field or offroad. For photographers and videographers looking to streamline their shoot day, the R9 is a fantastic investment that will pay for itself in saved time and energy.
What I Liked
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Excellent all-terrain performance with no-flat wheels.
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Strong, durable steel construction with a high load capacity.
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Versatile telescoping design with useful accessory options.
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Folds down to a very compact size for easy transport.
What Could Be Improved
- Cable release for the handles takes a little work to actuate, making folding up the cart a little more difficult than switching between other modes.