Hobie cart upgrade for $10

[civic fisher]

Don't forget industrial liquidators.So are the wheels real solid or is there any wobble to them?Upgrade looks pretty well executed.

[Rob929]

I dont have pics handy, but do have one suggestion- especially for the carts that have scupper posts only.. Add a pvc 4-way cross piece, slide it down over the scupper posts on the cart. Add pvc wrapped with foam coming out either way off the cross piece to create support for the kayak to rest on.. similar to the cart in this pic:
http://www.allkayakfishing.com/rigged/cart2.jpg

This way, the scupper posts will keep the cart in place, and aligned, but will not be supporting the full weight of the kayak. Will try to post exact pics later..

[fongman]

For $10.00 more (+ s/h), I picked up the pneumatic tires with plastic rims that are found on some of the other carts. They're made for a 3/4 inch axle. You can buy them at Northern Tool.

btw, if you're looking to build a cart and you need an axle, Industrial Metal Supply has 3/4" stainless steel tubing in roughly 3 ft. lengths for about $5.00. If you're using 1" PVC, the perfect axle bushing I've found are 1" x 3/4" PVC reducer fittings. Get 4 of these and put them in the ends of a couple of T fittings and you've got your axle housing. Buy 2 lynch pins (Home Depot) to secure your wheels to the axle. With this setup, you have minimal weight and corrosion/rust to worry about.

[sandydiego]

The copper pipe removes 95% of the wobble.
Steve

Originally Posted by civic fisher

Don't forget industrial liquidators.So are the wheels real solid or is there any wobble to them?Upgrade looks pretty well executed.

[habanero]

Not to throw saltwater on this party but those harbor freight wheels only lasted a few trips before they fell apart. I paid about $4 each so no big loss. I did by another pair form them that are 10" and solid plastic. They should fit with no bushing adapters but I have not installed them. The ones "fongman" posted look great but I wonder is they are 100% plastic?

[sandydiego]

Originally Posted by habanero

Not to throw saltwater on this party but those harbor freight wheels only lasted a few trips before they fell apart. I paid about $4 each so no big loss. I did by another pair form them that are 10" and solid plastic. They should fit with no bushing adapters but I have not installed them. The ones "fongman" posted look great but I wonder is they are 100% plastic?

I use my cart to move my yak from the garage to the truck. The only time it gets wet is when I rinse the yak off after I get back. I was planning on giving a squirt of WD40 on the wheels ever so often. I do like the all plastic wheels from Northern Suppy. I'll order a set next time I need something from them. They must weigh half as much as the metal wheels. They look like they have metal bearings in them though.

[fongman]

Originally Posted by sandydiego

I do like the all plastic wheels from Northern Suppy. I'll order a set next time I need something from them. They must weigh half as much as the metal wheels. They look like they have metal bearings in them though.

These are the same wheels used on many of the $100.00+ kayak carts. The wheels do not have any metal parts. The bushing inserts are plastic.

Combine your orders and save on the s/h. Total cost for 2 sets was $50.00.

[sandydiego]

Originally Posted by fongman

These are the same wheels used on many of the $100.00+ kayak carts. The wheels do not have any metal parts. The bushing inserts are plastic.

Combine your orders and save on the s/h. Total cost for 2 sets was $50.00.

Very good to know on the bushings. Thanks.

[dsafety]

The problem with the HF wheels and many similar wheels found on Chinese import stuff is that the bolts that hold the wheels together have not been tightened properly. I have had these wheels fall apart on dollys, wagons and other similar stuff imported from China.

A little loctight and a wrench and you should be fine.

That said, the all-plastic wheels look very nice and are probably worth the extra cost.

Bob