Building a wheeled cart: casters on the playa?

[Mars Saxman]

Hello -

I'm building a cart to tow behind my bike as part of an art project. My initial idea had been to bolt some big industrial casters onto the frame, but when I got to Home Depot and started looking at them, doubts arose. I am looking at 4" hard rubber swivel casters, like these, but I am worried that they will skid rather than roll on the dusty playa surface.

So: if you have experience building stuff that rolls around on the playa, what do you think? Will these casters work or am I going to be stuck with a rolling platform that doesn't roll? Any suggestions for a more appropriate wheel system? I need something that bolts onto the underside of a flat panel, like the casters do.

-Mars

[Badger]

You might look at 4" rubber tires (inflatable) which are also made for carts. You'll also probably need to insure the bearings are cleaned and oiled each day.

[hunter S]

Try numatic (air) tires, if you have a "harbor frieght" in your area they sell little red wagons for $30 with numatic tires might be just the ticket.

[dragonfly Jafe]

IF the Playa is hard, those might work OK (but they would not be fun). If the Playa is anything else, they will not work at all. Early reports seem to indicate a hard Playa this year, YMMV.

IMHO, 6" dia pneumatic wheels would be the smallest I would consider. Mountain bike tire size would be best.

[Captain Goddammit]

IF the Playa is hard, those might work OK (but they would not be fun). If the Playa is anything else, they will not work at all. Early reports seem to indicate a hard Playa this year, YMMV.

IMHO, 6" dia pneumatic wheels would be the smallest I would consider. Mountain bike tire size would be best.

I totally agree. There's a reason bike wheels are as large diameter as they are. I've towed trailers with small wheels with a bike on the playa, and it sucked. I think you'll be a much happier person if you design your cart with fairly large wheels, bike wheels would probably be ideal.

[Tiahaar]

A handtruck with 10" pneumatic tires makes an excellent starting frame for a tow-behind-the-bike trailer.

[Chai Guy]

I would personally advise against casters on the playa. The ball bearings will get filled with playa dust and seize up (such was the case on a wind powered device I saw a few years back).

This is what I do:

Buy an old "burly" style bike trailer (the kind that yuppies haul their kids around in), remove the parts that the kids sit in and bolt your platform to the frame (I didn't even have to drill any new holes, just put the box on top and used some existing holes in the burly frame). You should be able to find a used one pretty cheap and they are super light and designed to be pulled by a bike.

Here is a pic of my rig:

[XS]

As far as tires on the playa, the thicker the better, a little on the deflated end will also help. A sturdy axel rather than spinning wheels like casters. Thick tires will help you traverse the inevitable sand trap or micro dunes that build up here and there.

That goes for you cyclists as well. Thin, ten-speed type tires are fucked on the playa. The fat, knobby style tires, beach cruiser types are what ya want.

Remember speed kills! Drive slowly. Ride you bike slowly. There are lots of unseen pits, divots, micro dunes, what-have-you. If you're haulin' ass on your bike you could easily spill, lose it, or otherwise "endo" the handle bars. I've seen it happen too many times.

A friend I met the first year had a bad spill on his bike. Too fast. Hit a divot. Endo. Face impacted into the playa. Nearly bit his upper lip clean off. Helicopter ride to Reno for cosmetic reconstructive surgery. READ YOUR TICKET!!!

Safe and sane now. Well, within reason I suppose.

XS

[Chai Guy]

Just to add to XS' bike safety tips:

1. Don't ride your bikes through camps, lot's of unseen hazards, especially at night. I walk my bike even in my own camp (never know when someone will be walking around a corner or what not).

2. Pay attention! I once saw a woman almost get cut in half by a "safety" rope someone had set up on the open playa to keep people back from a fire performance. The rope was flagged but still virtually invisible.

3. Light it up! A headlamp makes a great bike light and be sure to put something like a flashy red led light on the back as well. Have lights that help you see as well as be seen! (it's going to be very dark this year).

[XS]

Here Here chai guy. double what Chai said, regarding speed, and BLINKIES! New moon burn, no moon. DARK DARK DARK. Where you're blinkies! Go for the battery operated kind. EL WIRE investment's worth every penny. Glow sticks are cool in a pinch, but their illumination dies down quickly. The connectors can come loose and then ya got moop problems and create other unnecessary contributions to the land fills. (recycle your dead batteries!)

Carry on young burners, safe and sane, within reason of course!

[safetythird]

I have to agree with the kid trailer idea. I picked one up last year at a garage sale for $15. Tires still had some of the side hairs still attached. All I did was strip it down and paint the frame and wheels and cover the "kiddie tent" with mylar. It folds up nicely for transport too.

We hauled around a big ass(tm) cooler behind our tandem bike. I wouldn't imagine being able to pull it with small tires. Riding did seem a lot easier with the trailer attached, after getting up to speed.

I also took the "bolt onto the back of the bike, over the rear wheel" kid carrier that came with our tandem, removed the plastic seat and bolted on a wire storage cube.

I'm looking for a way to make our tandem a trike or have outriggers or something. Tandems are hard to ride when drunk.

S3

[Mars Saxman]

Thanks for the tips, folks. I think I would have trouble fitting full size bike wheels into the design, so I'm going to go look for some of those pneumatic hand truck tires. That sounds just about perfect.

As far as lighting goes, have no fear: my bike is equipped with a 35 watt tractor headlight and a bright red taillight. You can't miss it.

[AntiM]

If you get the tires at Harbor Freight, be sure to bring along a spare. We have a homemade box cart and screwing on a new tire was easier than repairing a flat. At least mylarry thought so.

The cart has a lid, makes a great extra table.