Kayak Cart with Independent Suspension

E

Erich S.

New member
I've been working on this project for quite a while and finally got it out for some feild testing. It worked like I hoped, but I did find some things I need to address. It has two independent trailing arms with Mt. Bike shocks and poly wheels to resist corrosion. :thumbsup:

Picture1.jpg


Check out my video of the trip:

http://youtu.be/vLs7E4pUI1Q

Erich
 
Eric ,


That is one cool cart !!!!!!!!!!!!! Very nice job . I love how it articulates over the rough terrain , and how it is so easy to load the boat onto the trailer , What do you think your boat weighs ? I have a kara that i would love to do the same thing to . Thanks for sharing .



Dave M
 
Erich:
Will you be posting any detailed pictures? I've tried a number of devices over the years and yours seem to be head and shoulders above what I've put together.
 
Erich,
that is stupid cool! Great job. How much twist do you get at the axel with the bolt only supported on the one side. It looks like not much.
My Kara is a lot heavier than the marsh rat but you sparked the Idea for a solution. Thanks.....
Morton get the spool gun fired up..
We need some square tubing.

Will do double duty as a deer cart.


Bob
 
Thanks guys!

Erich:
Will you be posting any detailed pictures? I've tried a number of devices over the years and yours seem to be head and shoulders above what I've put together.
Click to expand...

Sure thing. I'll get some in the daylight tomorrow.

Erich
 
Erich,
that is stupid cool! Great job. How much twist do you get at the axel with the bolt only supported on the one side. It looks like not much.
My Kara is a lot heavier than the marsh rat but you sparked the Idea for a solution. Thanks.....
Morton get the spool gun fired up..
We need some square tubing.

Will do double duty as a deer cart.


Bob
Click to expand...

Funny you should ask that. I am using a 1/2" stainless steel bolt because my first try with a 1/2" aluminum rod folded like a limp noodle, lol! Talk about discouraging!

Adding double wheels would be the way to go. Just go for a longer stainless steel bolt.

Erich
 
That looks like an interesting design.
What is the advantange of that design verse the soft wheelezz tires that
take up a lot of the shock.
 
Erich
that is close to home. I have a friend who owns a canoe carrier and we tried to put the old fat lady KARA on it. Well about after 40 yds we were dragging the whole rig on the dirt. The weight had ripped the carrier right off the canoe and tore the rails all to heck. What a PITA.
But now see the light.


Thanks for the inspiration.


Bob

Morton we are on the trail to back woods in a big way.
 
Very nice, Can't wait to see the in depth pictures.

I ahve been using this for a number of years as it is the one study enough to carry my boat and gear. Wish it could "attach" better to the boat

http://www.paddlecart.com/

Mark W
 
Erich
that is close to home. I have a friend who owns a canoe carrier and we tried to put the old fat lady KARA on it. Well about after 40 yds we were dragging the whole rig on the dirt. The weight had ripped the carrier right off the canoe and tore the rails all to heck. What a PITA.
But now see the light.


Thanks for the inspiration.


Bob

Morton we are on the trail to back woods in a big way.
Click to expand...

I had something similar happen with my very first cart. I was in college and poor so I made it from PVC and an old golf caddie. It was working fine until one morning at o-dark-thirty when it broke at the neck and went careening off into the bushes, which turned out to be stinging nettles, arrrggg!

Erich
 
Very nice, Can't wait to see the in depth pictures.

I ahve been using this for a number of years as it is the one study enough to carry my boat and gear. Wish it could "attach" better to the boat

http://www.paddlecart.com/

Mark W
Click to expand...

I've seen the paddlecart before. I really like the design and the holes in the plates that reduce weight but keep strength. The bent tube is also really clean looking.

Erich
 
Here's some more pics from today:

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I also filmed a short video where I talk about the components. I'll post it as soon as it's done uploading.

Erich
 
Erich, That looks like my next winter project. I have been using a much modified canoe portage cart for my Poleboat but it is really hard to load on the cart and somewhat tippy. Great idea with the independent suspension, did you go that way to keep it from tipping or some other reason? Thanks for sharing and keep us posted as you modify and improve it.
 
might I make the suggestion of an improvement?

The question was of the "axle" and you uped it to a 1/2 stainless. I woudl suggest using a grade 8 bolt instead. They are rated in shear loads which appears to be the axis of strain on that bolt and this would be a pretty nice increase in strength for minimal money. At the local Fleet Farm the difference is about 40 cents per pound...

Otherwise, nice cart!!
 
very NICE build and you must have had spoked wheels and pulled through mud before. You only do that once..lol
 
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