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Transportation Issues
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Categories: Projects and equipment; Commerce and business

Word count/read time: 473 words; 2 minutes

To a certain degree, Vehicle size will dictate what can be sold, the quantity, footprint of the display area or booth size, and other factors. My booth contents require the biggest vehicle possible. Even then, I'm scrambling to fit everything.

One drawback to carrying so much is getting everything from car to booth, the so-called last mile. Even with a dolly that converts into a cart, it still takes me at least two, sometimes three, precarious trips.

My cart has partially collapsed despite never approaching its weight limit. Flimsy construction and substandard materials encourage the 2" solid rear caster wheels to seek out soft surfaces and bog down. Unpaved or rough terrain is like quicksand.

 
Just before demolition, hacksaw in hand, Captain Obvious visited.
 
The replacement is an extra-heavy duty 1200lb capacity garden cart with 13" pneumatic wheels. While it needs modifications, it would take much longer to make my own from scratch. The main concern is a speedy assembly/disassembly because it is too bulky to fit inside like it is (ironic, since I literally have the largest SUV by cargo space).

Setting it up and breaking it down multiple times per day should save overall time. As compact as it could be, it was still going to be a major PITA to fit it inside.

Just before demolition, hacksaw in hand, Captain Obvious visited. Mount it to the roof rack fully assembled and be done with it. There's like half an acre up there, plenty of room for this thing.

Getting it to the roof rack easily will take some planning; a good sled with guide rails and a pulley should solve that. Some people forget their roof rack is loaded until they hear that distinctive crunch. Fingers are crossed. Knock on wood.

Then again, a trailer hitch cargo rack would eliminate some hassle. It'd be nearly as much work because it would be disconnected while unloading, stored or put back in afterwards, only to complete this yin yang cycle four times each day. Someone's gonna wear road grime and grease, this heavy and bulky beast.

Ultimately, the easiest would be affixing a square tube to the cart so it can be put directly into the trailer hitch. It'd only require a couple of strategically placed mounting brackets. There'd be a small bar and a few connectors to remove and it's ready to roll, easy peasy!

The weather does whatever it wants. I'm eventually getting wet and frozen. Shrinkwrapping the cart might stop it from getting soaked...let me know how that goes. It will need spraying. A plastic 3gal 25psi garden sprayer does wonders. Refills shouldn't be an issue under normal circumstances.

Anything from the heavens spells nightmare dirtiness so a cover or tarp is crucial for the last mile. A change of clothes on standby probably wouldn't hurt. Unless you know the venue intimately, plan for the worst case scenario.


Posted by M: January 15, 2025


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