Need a cart for transport.

[Bozwell]

Here's the deal. There are 4 of us that pack back into some remote lakes. The trails are really decent but with waders, tubes and other gear........the hike going in, not to mention the hike back out with fish, is pretty physical.
What we want to do is build a lightweight cart similar to a "deer cart" with large 20-26 inch mountain bike tires, that we can strap our gear onto and transport our stuff back in that way. Use a portable battery powered pump to inflate the tubes and get on the water.
Anybody ever use or build something like that or are there easier ways that you've found to get to where you're going?
Just figured it would be a winter project but don't want to throw money at a bunch of prototypes trying to get it right.
I would much rather over analyze a little and get it right the first time.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or options that anyone may have!
Boz
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[cpierce]

I would probably use a game carrier. They are well designed, fold up and usually have handles at both ends so two people can use it together.

Here is one:
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/After-the-Shot/Game-Carts-Carriers%7C/pc/104791680/c/104689980/sc/104353380/Ameristep174-300-lb-Steel-Deer-Cart/847365.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100183%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd1206646&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd1206646%3Bcat104353380"]http://www.cabelas.com/...06646%3Bcat104353380[/url]

If you don't want one of them, I would certainly look at how they are designed before I made my own.

I don't know if I would take much in the way of batteries and air pumps in either. Which is going to take more of your energy, using a two stroke hand pump or lugging a battery and pump up and down the hills and back?


Edit: I think this is actually the cart I was thinking of.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/A...t104353380
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[pontoonman]

Boz:
This review with pics gives you ideas with different designs:

http://gametote.com/one-wheel-game-cart-review.html

Some comments below in bold, FWIW.

Pon


[quote Bozwell]Here's the deal. There are 4 of us that pack back into some remote lakes. The trails are really decent

Are the trails wide enough for 2 wheels? Otherwise a one wheel stretcher type game cart operated by 2 men would be lighter and go around turns, rocks, uneven ground and brush easier. If you have a distance to go, you might have to rig some way to turn the handles so they form a tripod with the wheel. That way you can rest without having to dump the load on its side...



but with waders, tubes and other gear........the hike going in, not to mention the hike back out with fish, is pretty physical.
What we want to do is build a lightweight cart similar to a "deer cart" with large 20-26 inch mountain bike tires, that we can strap our gear onto and transport our stuff back in that way. Use a portable battery powered pump to inflate the tubes and get on the water.
Anybody ever use or build something like that or are there easier ways that you've found to get to where you're going?
Just figured it would be a winter project but don't want to throw money at a bunch of prototypes trying to get it right.
I would much rather over analyze a little and get it right the first time.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or options that anyone may have!
Boz[/quote]
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[flygoddess]

I personally like that Carry Half down towards the bottom...that could work nice even with my boat and a smaller battery for pumping and sonar.
Thanks.
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[cpierce]

For the individual there are packs like the Dixon Roller Pack

[url "http://dixonrollerpack.com/3327.html"]http://dixonrollerpack.com/3327.html[/url]

Also the Carrix http://carrix.ch.tripod.com/

I guess these are used a lot in Europe
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[pontoonman]

CP:

COOL setup, thanks for posting. Could be hazardous if you lose footing and fall down a ravine while attached to it, though.

P.

[quote cpierce]For the individual there are packs like the Dixon Roller Pack

[url "http://dixonrollerpack.com/3327.html"]http://dixonrollerpack.com/3327.html[/url]

Also the Carrix [url "http://carrix.ch.tripod.com/"]http://carrix.ch.tripod.com/[/url]

I guess these are used a lot in Europe[/quote]
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[cpierce]

BTW I should have mentioned that you can't use carts or a wheel assisted pack in wilderness areas to take a tube or other things in. It is pack it on your back or pack animals only.

I have heard of some people renting llamas or pack goats for their week long trip into the wilderness..... or hire a horse packer and guide.

My choice on the lesser end would be goats before llamas. They carry just about as much, aren't nearly as temperamental, and their feed requirements are easier to be met.
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[flygoddess]

That was going to be my first answer...seriously...LOL
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[kochanut]

and they dont spit on you
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[Bozwell]

OK........
Here is what I went with. $87 and some change delivered to my door. Wheeled transport is llowed in the area we frequent so we're good to go. Already have a few modifications planned but this will be a good start.



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[cpierce]

Cool, it looks good. Let us know how it works out for you.
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[flygoddess]

Very cool...i could dig one of those! Full report with pictures, please.
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[pontoonman]

I like it, lightweight and backpackable, could be carried aboard a large float tube or pontoon? Will one be enough for you 4 guys' stuff?

[quote Bozwell]OK........
Here is what I went with. $87 and some change delivered to my door. Wheeled transport is llowed in the area we frequent so we're good to go. Already have a few modifications planned but this will be a good start.


[.img][url "http://i.ebayimg.com/t/TimberRidge-hunting-backpackable-big-game-deer-cart-NEW-/00/s/OTAzWDE2MDA=/$%28KGrHqN,%21g8E6Z+HzLiSBOue3cEZdQ%7E%7E60_3.JPG[/img][/quote]"]http://i.ebayimg.com/...3.JPG[/img][/quote][/url]
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[Bozwell]

It should be here tomorrow and we're already looking to modify it. We've got the plans drawn up to add quick release side frames to help hold more gear and larger mountain bike style wheels as an option if we feel the need.
Once we do the initial assembly and load test, then we'll determine if we need to get another. The one member of the group was going to order another one right away when I emailed him the pic but I told him to relax until the first one gets here and we can see what we're getting.
We really like the fact that it breaks down into such a compact package for storing in the camper, truck, boat or whatever.
We're pretty sure that it can be broke down and carried aboard a large float tube with ease. At least that's what we're hoping. There are several spots where we could make a secondary trek to mutiple lakes but we need to be able to get the cart to the other side and the only way to do that is across water. I'll keep you posted.
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[albinotrout]

Looks really good.
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[Bozwell]

Got the cart today and it's really sweet. Planning on modifying the wheels by going to a 24" - 26" mountain bike tire and some quick release side rails which I feel it needs to help contain our gear between the wheels when we increase them to the larger size. On top of that I have a body harness from my bowhunting days that I can modify to attach to the cart and a person should be able to almost pull it in hands free.
It should be absolutely perfect for our needs.
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[cpierce]

Glad it is working out for you. Keep us posted. Is the area you hike much of a climb? Also I am curious as to how wide your trails are. Will the 20 inch width be a problem?
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[Bozwell]

The narrowest we've encountered has been about 4' and in places is 10-12'.
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[cpierce]

Sounds like it will work really well. The two wheels will make it nice and stable for your load. I would love to see pictures of it packed and ready to go. How big of tubes do you all have?
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[flygoddess]

Me too. I am thinking, my #27 battery = 60 lbs My Motor = 20 lb My boat= 30lb other gear, putting my load, one trip at maybe 150 lbs...this is cool, and enough room on the boat I think, to haul carrier.
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