Hello ladies! I am finally going to do it, I am going to purchase a wagon or a utility cart to lug my gear up the hill by triangle. Taking the plunge. But of course, there are several to choose from.

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions - a cart they really like.
I think I want want that the sides fold down, I'm pretty sure I will have to put it on top of my car for the drive. I thinkthe things that would be important are good wheels, axels turn well, a good handle, sturdy but not too heavy?

Suggestions and ideas are greatly appreciated.
I am in the Baltimore area and will be purchasing somewhere around there.

Thanks so much for any advice ya'll can offer.

xo
sherrylynne

I bought one of those collapsable/fold-up wagons with cloth sides - Costco has them in right now, but K-Mart also carries them. I use mine to go up the hill from triangle - works fairly well - by staying in the middle of the road! I needed something collapsible so that I could take it on the train in luggage. With a car your options are wide open.

I've see a lot of folks with those silver "Fold It" 2 wheeled wagons. I think many are happy with them and, with space limitations, I can see that that might be a good choice.

But I have to put my vote in for the 2 wheeled garden cart like Fest uses. What convinced me was actually trying out a loaded garden cart compared to a 4 wheeled wagon. A WORLD of difference in ease of maneuvering, effort needed, not to mention carrying capacity. There is something having to do with physics going on, (the balance of the garden cart is much different than the "Fold It") I can't explain it, but the garden cart almost feels weightless. And I know you can feel every pound loaded onto a 4 wheeled wagon. I generally push the garden cart, but you can also step inside the handle bar and pull it. (or actually, you are still pushing, but the cart is following you, rather than in front of you) You must pull a wagon, and the weight on your shoulder is awkward, particularly on turns. The garden cart turns effortlessly--zero radius, when one wheel turns forward and the other one turns backward.

The large bicycle sized tires add to the easy maneuverability. Whatever choice you make, go for the biggest wheels possible. Little red wagon wheels are a big PITA on the paths.

Size. Well, I drive an Astro van, so I actually have plenty of room for the completely packed cart, several passengers, and lots of extra gear, so space just isn't an issue for me. But I do know that the 2 wheels on the cart slip off by removing 2 cotter pins, and then what you've got is a box about the size and shape of 2 extra large rubbermaid bins. Pop the wheels back on when you park and you're good to go.

The first Fest I went to, where I really struggled physically, was my 18th Fest, when I was 48 yrs old. I knew I wanted to have a few more amenities (how can a body get themselves up and drag themselves to Saints for coffee if you haven't had your coffee yet? ;D !!) But the pack-in/pack-out was almost too much for me! So I started asking folks along the path, "Can I try out your wagon, your cart, your deer carrier?" The garden cart was so clearly superior to any other, I had a hard time believing the difference! My new motto was: 18 Fests without a garden cart, 18 more Fests with one! (Gonna be looking for new motto, as I'm getting closer to my 36th Fest)

The American-made version is called the Vermont Garden cart (easy to google). They come in different sizes, and I can't really remember if I chose the largest or the medium size. But I actually bought a Chinese knock-off because the price difference was so great. The wood it's made from is of a lesser quality, and the tires had to be replaced after 4 Fests, and I do actually believe in Buy American, but what can I say, I was seduced by the lower price.

Good hunting! If you possibly can, try out your choices in as close to real-life conditions as possible!