Thread: Collapsible Surf/Pier Cart

I have been using one similar to the red collapsible cart shown earlier. I think I paid $59 for mine. I have used it for 3 or 4 years and for someone that has to travel and pack a lot it takes up little room. I am satisfied with my choice.

Originally Posted by rabidawise

A 65 qt will most definitely NOT fit in the trunk of the wife's car! Lol.

You aren't trying nearly hard enough.

This is a pier cart from an office supply store (compare the sizes -- some are a hair too small for a cooler). What you cannot see is that it folds down to three or 4 inches tall in the footprint of a milk crate and travels well. I set it up while at the shore, while most luggage is in the room, so setup of the items below is a 1-time thing. It holds a small cooler [those foam cube style} OR a bucket, or both. I have one of those bucket tops with a place for tackle, and I have a belt with pouches for tackle that I wear on the beach or bank-walking, but on the pier I buckle it around the handle bars. I have a 3-rod holder which u-bolts to the handles, and although I must pull while walking slightly off-center it is light and rolls well so no strain. Previously, I had 4 sand spikes in the corners (INSIDE the frame) held loosely in place by zip ties which worked well with the bucket. I slipped the rod holders into the zip tie loops top and bottom, then added the cooler/bucket, then the rods. I drop the handle of the cooler/bucket (either one can be on top) over the handle of the card, and it won't fall off. I can hang my iron-man gaff off the back with the rope inside, or my folding pier net inside under the bucket/cooler. The open pier net hangs over the handle when opened so it can dry.

Because the foam cooler lid can blow away, I duck-taped it to the back side, hinge-style. Because I am so cheap that I bought a cooler whose lid was broken in half, I duck-taped that as a hinge too, so I can open the front half of the cooler to get things in and out without removing whole lid. That tackle-belt I mentioned holds down the back side of the lid as extra insurance against wind. The cart also has a solid bottom, so I can drop tackle down beside the bucket when I am in a hurry.

Did I mention, it has 3 cupholders that fold down from the front. Can't have a vehicle without cup-holders.


Main thing it needs are skate wheels so it is a little quieter clicking over every crack in the boards.

Originally Posted by rabidawise

In the trunk of a Hyundai Elantra??

I live in NW Arkansas and rent a car every time we come down, its cheaper than driving my Dodge 2500 diesel. I have the big version of pier carts and with the tires off and a little magic you can get it in. I put the seats down and put it in the back seat. Load my tackle box on one side, the wheels on the other and from the trunk i load the poles through the opening in the cart. It can be a pain if it's about to rain or your ready to get back to the hotel but it can be done. If there's a will, there's a way!

Originally Posted by bigboyjames11

I live in NW Arkansas and rent a car every time we come down, its cheaper than driving my Dodge 2500 diesel. I have the big version of pier carts and with the tires off and a little magic you can get it in. I put the seats down and put it in the back seat. Load my tackle box on one side, the wheels on the other and from the trunk i load the poles through the opening in the cart. It can be a pain if it's about to rain or your ready to get back to the hotel but it can be done. If there's a will, there's a way!

Hmmmmm......might have to take some measurements and see if it'll fit.....

For over 15 yrs I carried 6-8 rods and reels 2 tackle bags rain gear an ice chest and a pier net in a folding grocery cart such as this Very easy to travel with

Thanks for the ideas guys! I'm gonna look into all of them to see which one fits my needs best!

I have no idea where my mom bought this thing, but she gave it to me after deciding it didn't help with carrying her music gear around. I found this link while searching for "fold-flat telescopic cart". At any rate, it's my compact pier cart. I can carry a cooler and bait bucket on the floor of it, and my tackle box sits on top. You could pretty easily build a little rod rack to attach to the handle out of PVC.

Purchase Folding Platform Truck With Telescopic Aluminum Deck At Globalindustrial.Com.

Worst part about it is the wheels aren't that big, so it doesn't roll "silky smooth" over the pier. DISCLAIMER - I have no idea who the vendor is in the link - I have no idea if they are a reputable seller!