Rimowa Plus Luggage – too plus for check-in/on board?
Sep 3, 23, 3:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 6
Rimowa Plus Luggage – too plus for check-in/on board?
I’m new to this forum and also (possibly) new to Rimowa. Current prices make it hard for me too justify a Rimowa, but, well… 
My plan is to buy a Rimowa Trunk and a Rimowa Cabin. The Cabin would only be an option if I can go with the “Plus version”.
For the Trunk I will find out whether the “standard version” is good enough for a 2-3 weeks trip or whether the Plus makes more sense.
However, I’m afraid that I will run into problems with the “Plus versions” of those two luggages. I read some comments here already but wanted to get an updated view by asking again, if you guys have ever encountered any problems when either checking in the Trunk Plus (aluminium) or the Cabin Plus (aluminium). May be both in size and weight.
It’s more than a lot of money to me so my choice should be at least based on best consideration.
Thanks a lot if you can help a newbie to make a solid sustainable choice. Btw. I’m located in Germany (near Munich), so I will travel LH from time to time besides other airlines.
P.S. If someone has taken a picture of the Cabin Plus on board to see how it fits, that would be fabulous of course
My plan is to buy a Rimowa Trunk and a Rimowa Cabin. The Cabin would only be an option if I can go with the “Plus version”.
For the Trunk I will find out whether the “standard version” is good enough for a 2-3 weeks trip or whether the Plus makes more sense.
However, I’m afraid that I will run into problems with the “Plus versions” of those two luggages. I read some comments here already but wanted to get an updated view by asking again, if you guys have ever encountered any problems when either checking in the Trunk Plus (aluminium) or the Cabin Plus (aluminium). May be both in size and weight.
It’s more than a lot of money to me so my choice should be at least based on best consideration.
Thanks a lot if you can help a newbie to make a solid sustainable choice. Btw. I’m located in Germany (near Munich), so I will travel LH from time to time besides other airlines.
P.S. If someone has taken a picture of the Cabin Plus on board to see how it fits, that would be fabulous of course
Sep 4, 23, 12:24 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Somewhere between N.A. and S.E.A.
Programs: HHonors / UA M+ / TK M&S Elite
Posts: 361
I've got the trunk plus and have flown UA, NH, TK, AI, TG, with it. No one has ever given it a second look.
The only "issue" with the trunk plus is that it really does take an enormous loaf of stuff exceptionally easy. So there is the danger of being over the weight limit before the bag j's full. I use it on journeys of 1-3 months and where I'll definitely bring back a lot of stuff.
Unless you really need all that space all the time, I think most would do better with the regular trunk because it's more likely ro stay near the weight limit when fully or over packed.
The only "issue" with the trunk plus is that it really does take an enormous loaf of stuff exceptionally easy. So there is the danger of being over the weight limit before the bag j's full. I use it on journeys of 1-3 months and where I'll definitely bring back a lot of stuff.
Unless you really need all that space all the time, I think most would do better with the regular trunk because it's more likely ro stay near the weight limit when fully or over packed.
Sep 4, 23, 3:59 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 6
I've got the trunk plus and have flown UA, NH, TK, AI, TG, with it. No one has ever given it a second look.
The only "issue" with the trunk plus is that it really does take an enormous loaf of stuff exceptionally easy. So there is the danger of being over the weight limit before the bag j's full. I use it on journeys of 1-3 months and where I'll definitely bring back a lot of stuff.
Unless you really need all that space all the time, I think most would do better with the regular trunk because it's more likely ro stay near the weight limit when fully or over packed.
The only "issue" with the trunk plus is that it really does take an enormous loaf of stuff exceptionally easy. So there is the danger of being over the weight limit before the bag j's full. I use it on journeys of 1-3 months and where I'll definitely bring back a lot of stuff.
Unless you really need all that space all the time, I think most would do better with the regular trunk because it's more likely ro stay near the weight limit when fully or over packed.
Maybe the "normal" trunk is a serious alternative. But then again, I see that most people (at least that's my impression) went for the Trunk Plus...
Sep 4, 23, 5:22 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 50
I have an older Topas 86L, which is now replaced by the Check-In L. It seems that's fairly similar in volume as the normal Trunk with the dimensions being a bit different.
Size-wise I have more than enough room for what I'd want to bring on most of my trips. If I'm carrying much more I'd rather just add a duffle bag to stow impractically shaped items in, such as hiking boots, picnic blankets and other hiking gear, and keep the large Rimowa for clothes and toiletries.
You can definitely exceed the weight limits if you try, but I rarely do so with a full suitcase. And it's easier to handle, provides a decent separation of stuff and it's very manageable to roll the Rimowa and just chuck the duffle on top (RIP the add-a-bag on the newer models).
Size-wise I have more than enough room for what I'd want to bring on most of my trips. If I'm carrying much more I'd rather just add a duffle bag to stow impractically shaped items in, such as hiking boots, picnic blankets and other hiking gear, and keep the large Rimowa for clothes and toiletries.
You can definitely exceed the weight limits if you try, but I rarely do so with a full suitcase. And it's easier to handle, provides a decent separation of stuff and it's very manageable to roll the Rimowa and just chuck the duffle on top (RIP the add-a-bag on the newer models).
Sep 4, 23, 11:56 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 6
Thank you very much! I appreciate your comment as well! Really helpful.
I decided to order the normal one and the plus to see how much they can take. Should arrive tomorrow.
So it’s gonna be either the normal (middle sized one) or maybe the Plus and the S in the end.
Not sure how much one can pack into the S. Seems to be more rare.
I decided to order the normal one and the plus to see how much they can take. Should arrive tomorrow.
So it’s gonna be either the normal (middle sized one) or maybe the Plus and the S in the end.
Not sure how much one can pack into the S. Seems to be more rare.
Sep 5, 23, 10:32 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 6
There I stand, poor fool, and am as clever as before.
I received the two trunk suitcases today.
I made a packing attempt for each suitcase. Before that, I fully filled my 77cm suitcase, which I have used so far. 3 weeks more or less simulated. So really 21 T-shirts, underwear, two jackets, two pairs of shoes, toiletries, 2 jeans, 4 sweaters. Summer vacation. I also packed large bottles of toiletries, which could also be reduced in smaller containers, etc. However: My small travel tripod, which I took with me from time to time (and never used ) was not in it yet Who knows if i need this
The Original Trunk just about held what went into our old Titan case. More is not possible. With the Trunk Plus there is still some air (in the upper, smaller part).
I had hoped that the "normal" size trunk would be way too small, so there was no need to choose.
Now I'm unsure. Of course I want to do it right for the price.
The weight of the Trunk Plus was 22.9 kg (quite spot on) and the other 22.4 kg.
My considerations: I can also take fewer T-shirts with me for three weeks. This would mean that there would still be some space. Maybe 2 instead of 4 sweaters etc. are enough for a summer vacation. If I do the same thing with the Trunk Plus, there is also more space, logically. But then the question arises whether it makes sense to drag such a large suitcase around all the time. I have less of a problem with it when traveling by car, but when flying? And if you have to take the subway or a bus with it? Hm... difficult decision. Sure, if you have a little more space, you can also bring souvenirs, clothes, etc. from your vacation. In the original it will be difficult. And the price difference to the standard size is only 120 euros. That's nothing by Rimowa standards.
Advantage of the standard size: I can apparently use it for a 3-week vacation, but a one-week trip also seems possible to me (or would you say, definitely too big for that?).
Advantage of the Plus Trunk: More space (but is that really always an advantage? Don't you tend to take too much with you? Or lift the weight too much?)
For example, in winter I fly to Georgia (country) for a week. I would then currently only have the Trunk Plus for the trip. It’s probably too much of a good thing for a trip like that? Plan B would then be a Trunk S as an addition (expensive pleasure...). But maybe the best decision? On the other hand: In winter, people like to take thicker/heavy clothes with them. But well, still only a week... What about 10 days? Oh dear... I got myself into hell's kitchen. I thought, if I pack both once, the choice is clear. I silly.
So the standard after all? I think how I'm doing it, I'm doing it wrong
Has anyone here faced a similar decision?
PS The trunk in standard size is difficult to open. It's a bit twisted it seems. Can this be or is this normal??? The Trunk Plus is very easy to open in contrast. Both are brand new after all. That was the case immediately after unpacking. At first I thought, what's going on? It does not open...
Does something like this happen often? Or after use? I still have my doubts about aluminum...
If anyone else has had experience or can give tips, I would of course be very happy to hear about it again.
I received the two trunk suitcases today.
I made a packing attempt for each suitcase. Before that, I fully filled my 77cm suitcase, which I have used so far. 3 weeks more or less simulated. So really 21 T-shirts, underwear, two jackets, two pairs of shoes, toiletries, 2 jeans, 4 sweaters. Summer vacation
. I also packed large bottles of toiletries, which could also be reduced in smaller containers, etc. However: My small travel tripod, which I took with me from time to time (and never used ) was not in it yet Who knows if i need thisThe Original Trunk just about held what went into our old Titan case. More is not possible. With the Trunk Plus there is still some air (in the upper, smaller part).
I had hoped that the "normal" size trunk would be way too small, so there was no need to choose.
Now I'm unsure. Of course I want to do it right for the price.
The weight of the Trunk Plus was 22.9 kg (quite spot on) and the other 22.4 kg.
My considerations: I can also take fewer T-shirts with me for three weeks. This would mean that there would still be some space. Maybe 2 instead of 4 sweaters etc. are enough for a summer vacation. If I do the same thing with the Trunk Plus, there is also more space, logically. But then the question arises whether it makes sense to drag such a large suitcase around all the time. I have less of a problem with it when traveling by car, but when flying? And if you have to take the subway or a bus with it? Hm... difficult decision. Sure, if you have a little more space, you can also bring souvenirs, clothes, etc. from your vacation. In the original it will be difficult. And the price difference to the standard size is only 120 euros. That's nothing by Rimowa standards.
Advantage of the standard size: I can apparently use it for a 3-week vacation, but a one-week trip also seems possible to me (or would you say, definitely too big for that?).
Advantage of the Plus Trunk: More space (but is that really always an advantage? Don't you tend to take too much with you? Or lift the weight too much?)
For example, in winter I fly to Georgia (country) for a week. I would then currently only have the Trunk Plus for the trip. It’s probably too much of a good thing for a trip like that? Plan B would then be a Trunk S as an addition (expensive pleasure...). But maybe the best decision? On the other hand: In winter, people like to take thicker/heavy clothes with them. But well, still only a week... What about 10 days? Oh dear... I got myself into hell's kitchen. I thought, if I pack both once, the choice is clear. I silly.
So the standard after all? I think how I'm doing it, I'm doing it wrong
Has anyone here faced a similar decision?
PS The trunk in standard size is difficult to open. It's a bit twisted it seems. Can this be or is this normal??? The Trunk Plus is very easy to open in contrast. Both are brand new after all. That was the case immediately after unpacking. At first I thought, what's going on? It does not open...
Does something like this happen often? Or after use? I still have my doubts about aluminum...
If anyone else has had experience or can give tips, I would of course be very happy to hear about it again.
Last edited by zeitlos; Sep 5, 23 at 11:26 am
Sep 5, 23, 3:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,622
Are you going to a place where laundry is not available? I travel for 5-7 weeks at a time and generally take 5 or 6 days worth of clothes at the most. I'm mostly in Asia and I can easily find a cheap place to do laundry that I can have the next day. Sometimes the hotels will have free laundry, too. And I am a female. Europe can be problematic I've found. I can't remember what I did in Georgia but it was still a smaller checked bag. I almost never buy souvenirs. The time I did I bought a cheap bag to bring them home in. I also pack a duffle that I can leave at the hotel with my travel clothes if I am going to be returning to that hotel at the end of the trip. I'm going to be going to Taipei and then on to Bali in November. I will leave my Taipei clothes in a duffle with the hotel (probably having them laundered before I leave so I have clean travel clothes for the return). That way I don't have to worry about carrying around bulky clothes in Indonesia. From the airport hotel in Bali I'm traveling for 5 days in Bali and so I will probably leave another duffle bag at that hotel and pick it up for a longer trip (18 days) to South Suliwesi.
I have a smaller Rimowa check bag that I love. A smaller bag is much easier for me to maneuver, too. I have a larger size that I actually never use.
I have a smaller Rimowa check bag that I love. A smaller bag is much easier for me to maneuver, too. I have a larger size that I actually never use.
Sep 6, 23, 9:13 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 6
Thank you very much for your reply. You are right, on a 3 weeks trip I should definitely take a laundry into consideration along the way. Makes sense. I also appreciate your comments about leaving some stuff back when traveling. You are right, often the start of the place where the first hotel was is also the place where the return flight departs, so it’s really good tactics to leave some stuff there. I really like your approach. Taking some time to find a smart solution before traveling is maybe essential.
As far as my Rimowa purchase is concerned, I have sent the Plus back today. I think, it’s not that large but still too large for what I need. And if I really go for a 3 weeks trip I will remember some of the tips given and try to pack smarter. I will keep the standard trunk (Original). However, I will also send this back tomorrow for replacement. I called Rimowa today and they could answer my question. A new trunk that doesn’t open or close easily is not as it should be.
As far as my Rimowa purchase is concerned, I have sent the Plus back today. I think, it’s not that large but still too large for what I need. And if I really go for a 3 weeks trip I will remember some of the tips given and try to pack smarter. I will keep the standard trunk (Original). However, I will also send this back tomorrow for replacement. I called Rimowa today and they could answer my question. A new trunk that doesn’t open or close easily is not as it should be.
