Ed Garrett
06-23-2007, 11:21 AM
Looking to build a wagon for your: Kids? Grandkids? Here’s one with a twist:
I made this wagon about 15 years ago when my kids were toddlers. My wife and I would make them a “baby nest” in the wagon and take them for walks. It hooks up to my bike too. It’s also been abused for hauling furniture, groceries, tools, sand, yard debris, etc… The weight capacity is only limited by the strength of the puller. You can also convert this wagon to a Prairie Schooner for young settlers who are intent on taking epic journeys around the neighborhood.
Here’s some specs if you’d like to emulate: Bed size = 40”x24”, walls = 2x8 yellow pine, floor = ¾ ext plywood, wheels = 10”, handle = looped plywood arm piece from a chair, pulling strut = laminated maple crutch frame, tongue = maple legs from a lab table, yoke mechanism = decommissioned motorcycle front hub and axle. The brake rotor was perfect for bolting into the front wheel axle yoke. You need a very strong vertical axle and bearing for this wagon to work well. Mount the wheels so there is sufficient clearance to not squash little fingers.
The Prairie Schooner cover is made from a drop in insert anchoring hoops of 1/2" PVC and a canvas covering.
My kids are grown now, but they believe that every family should have a wagon like this. Wagons Ho!
I made this wagon about 15 years ago when my kids were toddlers. My wife and I would make them a “baby nest” in the wagon and take them for walks. It hooks up to my bike too. It’s also been abused for hauling furniture, groceries, tools, sand, yard debris, etc… The weight capacity is only limited by the strength of the puller. You can also convert this wagon to a Prairie Schooner for young settlers who are intent on taking epic journeys around the neighborhood.
Here’s some specs if you’d like to emulate: Bed size = 40”x24”, walls = 2x8 yellow pine, floor = ¾ ext plywood, wheels = 10”, handle = looped plywood arm piece from a chair, pulling strut = laminated maple crutch frame, tongue = maple legs from a lab table, yoke mechanism = decommissioned motorcycle front hub and axle. The brake rotor was perfect for bolting into the front wheel axle yoke. You need a very strong vertical axle and bearing for this wagon to work well. Mount the wheels so there is sufficient clearance to not squash little fingers.
The Prairie Schooner cover is made from a drop in insert anchoring hoops of 1/2" PVC and a canvas covering.
My kids are grown now, but they believe that every family should have a wagon like this. Wagons Ho!