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Homemade Milk Crate Kayak Cart

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:24 am
by twiceayear
Here's is a simple kayak cart I made by incorporating the milkcrate as the frame of the cart. When not used as a cart, the milkcrate can be used as a milkcrate (?) in the tank well. The frame post turns into four rod holders.

The only items you need to stow when you reached your destination is break down the PVC T-cap, the wheels,shaft, two washers, pin and tennis balls.

Here is the material cost:

one - Milk Crate ??
one - 1 1/2 inch x 10 feet PVC pipe $4.29
four -90 degree elbow $0.56 each
four -T-connector $1.29 each
one - 1/2 inch aluminum bar $3.98
two - washer $0.09
two - Cotter pin $0.56
two - 13 1/2 inch plastic wheel $4.00 (or 12 inch with bearing $9.95 each)
one - Strap ??

Total $24.97 (Aug 2007)

The wheels are from Northern Tools, everything else are from HomeDepot.

The plus of the design is that it's a very simple design. It's also simple to build. The 13.5 inch wheel is bigger than anything I've seen out there. You can also cut the shaft longer and put 4 wheels instead of two to give you more stability and to give you the ability to go over soft sand.

The minus of the design is that you do need some tools to cut the PCV pipe, 1/2 drill bit and drill to put holes in the pcv pipe, the side of the crate and the tennis ball, 1/16 inch drill bit for the cotter pin hole in the shaft. You also need pcv cement.

Because the wheels a only about 15 inch apart, it's not as stable as store bought cart but as long as you keep that limitation in mind when you carting the kayak around, you should be ok.

It does well in deep grass. I can go over the curb with a good pull. I have not tested it in deep sand.

NOTE: The wheels on the pictures are the 12 inch wheels. I had since purchased the 13.5 inch wheels. The 12 inch wheels are $9.95 each. The tires are inflatable and there are ball bearings on the shafts. The $4.00 plastic wheels are hard plastic like lawn mower wheels with no bearings.

Videos:
Video No 1: Putting the cart together
Video No 2: Breaking the cart down
Video No 3: Going over curb

Pictures:
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:51 am
by Mythman
Absolutely great idea and execution........the only thing I am suspicious of is the low ground clearance. However, since I have only need a cart a couple of time, ground clearance may not be an issue.

Thanks for sharing, I am going to save the info.

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:02 am
by DelSol
Classic Pic! :lol:

Image

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:03 am
by Randy
I have one that I made just like that with the exception of the top rigging, when I field tested it on the bank at Spring Creek, the ground clearence was an issue, it kept getting hung up on the rocks,,,,,on flat ground it did great,,,mine just needs a lift kit maybe,,,,, but I have since gave up on that project....

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:18 am
by Mythman
DelSol wrote:Classic Pic! :lol:

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I saw that, I am such a crook that I painted over the disclaimer on my milk crate..........remind me of that when I am at TDC.

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:43 am
by twiceayear
Ooops!...uhm..does anyone know how to photoshop?

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:25 am
by Z~MAN
great Idea...


and a true classic picture !

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:39 am
by Tomagus
Hate to hijack this thread....but..... I just wonder how legit that warning is????Who enforces it...How can they put a fine like that on something that might cost $10 to make???? Who authorizes the use???and if you find them on the road can you fine the company for littering :?

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:42 am
by Z~MAN
just to scare would be "borrowers"..

He plans to give it back..

did the bigger wheels give you added clearance?

how bout going to an even larger tire...? just a thought..

I like the simplicity of it...

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:01 am
by twiceayear
zamarripa.piii wrote:did the bigger wheels give you added clearance?

how bout going to an even larger tire...? just a thought..
The bigger wheels only give you another inch of cleareance. For my requirements which is mainly around the Galveston Island, I think it would do ok. I don't think I will encounter obstacle such as rocks and such.

I looked at the 16 inch wheels at Northern Tools but the they were to big to fit through the front hatch.

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:45 am
by Z~MAN
oh.. I see.. the issue of the bigger wheels..

it is still a great idea to customize to eaches own yak or needs...


thanx

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:45 am
by Louis Clarke II
What a great idea!!!! That has to be one of the best ideas I have seen in a long time.

Louis & Clarke II

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:10 am
by Fla-Fish
Great Idea. I have those same wheels as replacements for my mower.
Real pain in the butt to try and put air in them.
Have you had problems finding an air nozzle that will fit between the spokes ???

One thing I might try is running the wheels at the back of the crate,
Might help with ground clearance.

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:12 pm
by TxRedbeard
twiceayear wrote:Ooops!...uhm..does anyone know how to photoshop?
Problem solved. :)

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:10 pm
by twiceayear
Yeesss!!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:52 pm
by Mythman
Very good, you probably saved him a sentence at Gitmo!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:18 pm
by RRR
Walmart sells a handpump for basketballs that will screw on the valves. I have these tires and it works for me.

Rick

milk crate/kayak cart

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:49 pm
by Arnulfo Curiel
That milk crate/kayak cart combo is genius! You're my new hero.

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:59 pm
by fishnv
very good idea, that's what you call working inside and outeside the Box/Crate!

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:03 pm
by twiceayear
FlaFish wrote:Great Idea. I have those same wheels as replacements for my mower.
Real pain in the butt to try and put air in them.
Have you had problems finding an air nozzle that will fit between the spokes ???

One thing I might try is running the wheels at the back of the crate,
Might help with ground clearance.
No Sir, never had any problems filling them up. I use a long tire inflator so I never had to put my fingers between the spokes.

I thought about running the shaft at the back elbow but the curvature is so much that I would have to mount it higher in order to hit the center of the elbow that I would lose an additional inch of clearance. If you look at the "OVER THE CURB" video in the video section, you will see that it handle the curb fine.

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:49 pm
by Z~MAN
that is a sweet set up... saw video..and it does handle the curb great..

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:07 am
by Fla-Fish
RRR wrote:Walmart sells a handpump for basketballs that will screw on the valves. I have these tires and it works for me.
Rick
Thanks

I had one from Academy and the seal went the 2-3rd time I used it.
Guess I need to buy a better one.

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:16 am
by corkpopper
wow dual purpose milk crate I never would have thought of that.

C

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:16 pm
by diaz
COOL IDEA 8)

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:29 am
by Jerry-rigged
I like it! I've never really been happy with my cart design - it is simple, but not great. This one I like.

Jerry