Is it possible to build your own cart?

[sugarvfk]

My DH welds and has access to a machine shop. Would it be possible for us to build our own cart?? We have looked at several. Our problem is that we can’t find a cart that has all the features that we like. So, he wanted to take ideas from several carts and put them together into one.

Any ideas or issues with this?

[Renae]

I would find a good set of well engineered plans and work form those. See and ride in if possible a cart made from that set of planes before committing to them. But working from a set of proven plans should help you build a vehicle that will be safe and balanced.

[Thomas_1]

Well I do it all the time :winkgrin:

However I’d say you need a lot more than welding skills. You need to be able to produce design drawings and ensure you aren’t designing in faults or load or stress points that are safety critical. You have to know what materials you’re going to use and that they are safety tested and fit for purpose.

I’d suggest you might be better if you go to a Carriage Builder who custom designs and builds to fit you and your horse and can advise appropriately and incorporate your requirements into the vehicle… Same as I do

[justslide]

I built mine from a kit that I purchased from a carriage builder.

[War_Admiral]

Yes, it’s possible. (Doesn’t sound like FUN to me, but it’s possible! :lol:)

Witmer’s has a wide variety of plans available. They’re Amish and do not have a web site, but do a Google for their phone number. They also stock all the parts you would need.

HRH Avery’s road cart is a “kit cart” such as Justslide describes. I didn’t build it and I don’t know who makes the kit, but Claudette Robinson at Country Carriages can point you in the right direction.

I have an acquaintance who ended up going into the carriage making business, but I remember when he built his first one, he said it cost him easily ten times the amount of money and man-hours that it would have taken him to simply buy one. Food for thought!

[mares_tails]

DIY (or DYI )

Sure it’s possible.

But I bet your third or fourth cart will be better than your first. :winkgrin:

.

[sugarvfk]

Thanks everybody!

Looks like we may have to buy a cart! Ok, so how about recommendations for a safe two wheeled vehicle that I can do CDI stuff in… I have a 14.1-ish Connemara mare that will be primary occupant

Thanks!!! It’s great to come here and post, and not get ugly, replies with attitudes! I appreciate that!

[justslide]

Then you won’t want my cart.

I was told that Meadowbrooks are the death cart! I am sure that the more experienced drivers on the board will be able to point you in the right direction for your goals.

And yes, everyone on this board is really helpful! They have helped me a great deal, both on the board and in person.

[Ashemont]

[QUOTE=sugarvfk;2790734]
Ok, so how about recommendations for a safe two wheeled vehicle that I can do CDI stuff in… [/QUOTE]

CDI? Did you mean CDE? If so then I wouldn’t recommend ANY 2-wheeled cart. I couldn’t even imagine trying to get my 12.2 hand pony with her little easy entry cart through a hazard. And after running cones in both the cart and my 4-wheeled marathon carriage I can tell you I’ll never deliberately try doing them in the cart again.

[goodhors]

Is it Combined Driving that you wish to do? How experienced are you as a Driver? How experienced at driving is the horse? What kind of horse do you have?

What were the features you wanted to put on your cart, that may not be there already?

A cart can be a good vehicle, but may not be as good for some of the jobs as other vehicles. Each driver and horse, compete at different skill levels, demand various things from their equipment. Taking lessons, improving your driving skills, can change what you want from the equipment in competitions.

Ashmont has just recently finished her first CDE, is a very competitive driver, takes lessons regularly from a great trainer. She has been working at driving for over a year, has gotten a lot of miles under her wheels! She has an extremely agile (think Lamborgini sports car) type pony who LOVES going fast in hazards. Her needs in a vehicle are different than other folks.

Renae is looking for a vehicle too, but needs it for a young, learning horse. Cart with 2-wheels is probably his best choice, until he gains more driving skills. Not ready for any CDE stuff yet.

Welcome, and please give us more details!

[Gestalt]

Hi, I’m on the west coast and many, many drivers use a 2-wh cart for CDE’s. My trainer says it’s safest to learn in and most entries in the training level are driven in 2-wh.

That said, I have a Pacific Carriage (2 wheel marathon/treking cart). It’s a beautiful and functional vehicle, but it was not cheap. Cheap doesn’t get you anything but trouble.

[sugarvfk]

Let’s see, yes, it is CDE, I wish to do… My pony and I are both green. I have driven experienced horses, in two wheeled jog cart type vehicles. I do have an instructor, who will be helping me. She currently has my pony and is teaching her to drive. She actually has a Meadowbrook. I didn’t want one, because of their not so safe reputation. My pony is quite brave :lol: but don’t really know yet, how she will be pulling a cart. So far so good, but that really remains to be seen.

I wanted to start out with a safe, easy to get in and out of vehicle, that wasn’t too heavy or hard to work with, easy to turn, etc… I don’t know how unrealistic that is! I would prefer a two wheeled, because I thought it would be easier to handle and haul as well.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! I live in Alabama, an hour from Atlanta…anyone near by that has experience??

[Drive_NJ]

OK I’ll probably be lighting a firecracker with this one, but . . .

Meadowbrooks have a reputation of being a “deathtrap” and not safe etcetcetc
but over the years manymanymany drivers have used them and I’ll bet there have been fewer accidents with them than with many of the 4-wheels out there

Yeah its rear entry and that poses some of its own problems and
yeah they are a bit lower to the ground than some of the newer models so its a bit harder to see OVER the horse
but that lower to the ground thing actually makes them somewhat more stable

One big problem is that on the east coast with the way hazards are being constructed as if every event is a world championship, a long shafted 2-wheel cart (horse sized) is gonna have a very difficult time getting thru the hazards. Easier for a ponycart because of overall length and width.

The last CDE we competed in (more than 10 years ago) there was one turn that was virtual undriveable for a 2-wheel horse cart - with no real options to get there

We drive a 2wheel “marathon” cart - basic simple cart but very comfortable cross country and on the road
nicely balanced and easy to handle
I find it much easier to get in and out of then many of the other “front” entry carts - in horse size
Every time you up the size of the wheels it changes the access intot he cart andwhen you get to 50in wheels many front entries dont work anymore without extending the from of the floor

I also have to admit I could make a pretty fast egress over the shaft in front of the wheel if I had to and I’d feel lesslike I’d do major damage to myself doing it that from the taller carts just because of the height to the ground (dont bounce quite like we did as a kid!)

That being said - you might want to look at a cart like BabyGoose drives (check her recent thread for pix) or the Pacific cart - but dont get the marathon step

Depending on finances you could also check out Bennington vehicles. I’m not as fond of the Bellcrown 2-wheels - never liked the look of how they seem to balance (or not)

Also the Ahonen vehicle has a nice following for it and they tend to be more reasonable than some others

[Happy_Feet]

I have had a Meadowbrook for the last year, of course I am a novice driver with a fairly expierenced (as in many mile on his belt) pony. I have done schooling ADT, and Schooling HDT and a couple of cones and dressage schooling shows in it. As everyone saw, I cantered through most of a (pretty easy) cones course (on pretty level terrain) and haven’t ever felt unsafe. I have heard from (too many to count really!) so many people “get out of the Meadowbrook - and get your self a marathon cart - your gonna hurt your self” Of course I feel safe or I certainly wouldn’t have done what I have in it! - but after trying several Marathon carts there is just a world of difference. So although I felt okay in one - I decided that if most people are telling me to get out of that cart and into a carriage- I should listen.

I have no idea where you are but there are alot of nice Marathon carriages out there , ones you can convert to a more formal apperance for presentation, dressage and cones and then strip it down for the marathon. They are usually a little more money because your basically getting 2 carriages in one. Very handy, and easy to transport !
Then there are just the Marathon carriages - they should be light, and stable.
I know a couple of people who use there Marathon Carriage for everything, and unless you are really showing a lot at ADS shows all over I think you would do just fine in getting a Marathon vehicle and using that one.
Because I recently made the big purchase (picking it up on Sat!) I can offer a few things I have come to know!
Be picky, be patient and do you homework!!! There are some very fancy vehicles that may impress you but be honest and realistic in what you need and find the cart that best fits that. IF you have a fast, handy pony, and you are an agressive driver, stability maybe one of your biggest concerns, if you are a “play it safe” kinda driver and just want something safe and fun and easy…

Hardwick Hideout makes some really super carriages for really resonable $. He has 4 sizes now, a HOrse, cob and pony PJ (puddle jumper) and a new Tad Pole that is for minis! Anyway really really look and I bet you can find something reasonably priced that will work for you. Also try before you buy it! Alot of the fancy bells and whistles sound great - but get an idea of how your pony goes in one before making your mind up - you’d be suprised at what you decide. Oh one more thing - more expensive isn’t always better or safer - be carfeful and get reccomendations on carts BEFORE putting your pony to one!
Oh also, You may want to call Russ at Hardwick, he is the nicest and most patient guy - who is FULL of very good info!!! You may want to talk with him about your concerns and features/carts/carriages that would be suited. WE learned alot from meeting with him and asking questions about his vehicles - he isn’t a pushy saleman really he could careless if you buy from him - he has a waiting list for his vehicles- but he is happy to answer your questions!!!