Help a pack mule become more efficient!

June 26, 2009 4:40 PM

Every year for a few days I transform into a pack mule hauling a good deal of camping gear over hilly, wood chipped paths for nearly a mile. I’ve been doing this for more than 10 years and am looking change things up a bit. What is the perfect people-powered vehicle for this?

I’ve used your typical hand truck/dollies but the small wheels run into trouble on wood chip paths; items fall off (even if more than adequately strapped down with bungee cords); limited load capacity.
The past few years I’ve been using a heavy duty garden cart with a great deal of success but I’m tired of pulling – it becomes rather taxing on the shoulders after a couple of hills with a full load. I’d like to find something that can be pushed but is a better load handler than a standard hand truck. I’m considering a game cart. The larger wheels lead me to believe balance would be good and they should make it easy to navigate the paths.

Here are some necessary details. Typical cargo will be Rubbermaid bins, coolers, collapsible chairs (think the ones in a bag), large tents, and the miscellaneous cases of your favorite beverage. The loads have substantial weight, so the collapsible wire cart that my nana uses for small errands won't cut it.

So, great hive mind, does anyone have any pros/cons of the game cart idea or is there something way cooler that I’m completely missing out on? I’m certainly strong enough to bear the pack mule work, and even take pride in it, but I’m ready for a change.

disclaimer: This question was actually written by my gf, but it seemed easier to post in first person voice. I just don't want anyone getting the idea that *I* might be capable of such pack-mulage.

posted by spinturtle to grab bag (9 comments total)

Our triple Burley? says it will carry 100 pounds - maybe not enough capacity for a lot of canned goods but they're pretty nimble over uneven ground. You could use the walk-behind bar and pull or push it.
posted by lakeroon at 5:02 PM on June 26

I came to suggest a wheelbarrow, but that seems like no improvement over the garden cart. I will ponder this question further.
posted by aint broke at 5:07 PM on June 26

A NordicCab? Good for kids or cargo, has adapters for puerson pulling, dog or bike and even can have skis instead of wheels.
posted by GuyZero at 5:22 PM on June 26

Got a bike? I have used Bikes At Work trailers to haul 400 lbs over paved roads, and smaller loads over gravel roads and well groomed trails. They're pricey, but also very well designed and extremely tough.
posted by ryanrs at 5:26 PM on June 26

Your problem is pretty much the same as that of over 1000 years of construction workers, who have often needed to move heavy loads over bad ground. A good wheelbarrow is your best bet. The single tire allows you to more easily maneuver around obstacles than any of the 2 tire garden carts, and has less rolling resistance than two tires at similar tire pressure. Look for a sturdy axle, a 2 or 4 ply radial tire that will handle high air pressure, a load pan whose shape can put load over the axle in the normal walking position, and at least 6.0 cu. ft. of carrying capacity.

And please, on the advice of hundreds of generations of Greek slaves, Roman construction workers, and all those with an eye to getting things done, push your loads, don't pull them. This will permit you to use a wheelbarrow harness, which will substantially improve your effort, by transferring most of the load directly to your hips, leaving your hands and upper body to steer.
posted by paulsc at 5:29 PM on June 26 [3 favorites has favorites]

Could you change the way you pull the garden cart? A chest harness perhaps to take the weight off your shoulders.
posted by Kerasia at 5:31 PM on June 26

Ah, Paulsc has better advice.
posted by Kerasia at 5:32 PM on June 26

Although it's expensive, I'd suggest looking at the Tipke Manufacturing Folding Cart. I purchased one a few years ago for exactly this purpose, hauling a bunch of our camping stuff from the truck to our favorite lakeside campsite, which is down a steep hill and over an extended dirt path, and it works great! It's available from West Marine, where it's often in stock, as well as other places online, though shipping would probably be expensive.

You might also want to check out Northern Tool and Harbor Freight, both of which have utility carts that are cheaper (though not as good, IMO).
posted by mosk at 5:33 PM on June 26

Nursery push carts are great for this sort of thing. Like a garden cart, but push instead of pull.

Just be sure it's not a flimsy home gardener's one, like those crappy Grizzly products.

Some other ideas here.

Model A Poly
Wheel Barrow Style Push Cart
VT 26, Large Size
Fold It Aluminum Cart
Industrial Duty Foldit Cart
Double Deck
Nursery Push Cart

My personal favorites (this, this, and this), the Handkar (generic term). Good luck finding them in the states.

This page has the rest of the options available.

And now I want a broodcar (bread cart!)

I could go on, but dinner calls.
posted by foooooogasm at 5:48 PM on June 26