The Mother Of All Totes.

I decided the wheels on the 15 gallon tote looked flimsy.

I found a couple of inexpensive, ball bearing hubbed, 9" diameter, ½" axle wheels at Harbor Freight or some such place. I bought a length of ½" diameter rod, cut some spacers to move the wheels out (stability in the corners!) and some spring clips not unlike those used with the sway control device.

I cut the rod to length and drilled holes in the end for the clips.

Works like a champ, although I've only used it twice. It rolls very easily over the rough terrain around a trailer (if the tires are aired up properly). It travels in the Yakima case on the roof with the wheels/axle off.

Strong men take their hats off and small children hide behind their mother's skirts and cry as I go buy. (Oh man, this is so goofy in so many ways.)

Hey, it doesn't leak and it does the job. The quintessential harmless upgrade. So far.

Another shot.

That looks great Steve

I still think you should outfit it with a seat and some flame decals, so you can ride it to the dump station.

Heck, add a little motor and it's a go-cart!

Put a blue tote under it and you're good to GO!

I don't want to deal with a large amount of waste (used to have a 5 gallon jug - but hey, why cart around 40 lbs of smelly water), so I have a 'little blue tote' ala Pete D....

Seeing Steve L.'s wheels, I got a little jealous, so added wheels to mine, also. Since we are out camping, on uneven terrain at times, I also got knobby tires....

However, I did go just wee little bit further, and added a remote control to mine, so I just have to drive it over to the grey water dump hole or the bathroom... no more totin' for this gal!

Oh sure! Up the stakes!

I like the remote control. If you could just send it to the dump station and be sure someone would empty it when it arrived.

Perhaps I'll just run a long hose over to your campsite and sneak my grey water into your jug.

Steve,

Can you post the calculations you did to determine whether or not the wheels and tires were sufficient to carry the load? Is the stress at the end of the lengthened axles significant enough to cause axle flex? How did you determine whether the Timken bearings were sufficient not to disintegrate under the load? How often do you have to pack the bearings? Does it have electric brakes? Do you need a brake controller? Which controller did you choose? Does it have a 1 7/8" hitch coupler or a 2" coupler? Did you have to extend the tongue? How did you brace the frame to keep it from flexing if the tires bounce? Does it need taillights, turn signals, and clearance lights? Can I tow it with my garden tractor? Can I tow it with my parent's Honda Odessey? What is the hitch height? Should it have a WDH? How about sway control? Can you mount a bicycle on the back? What about other accessories? Where do you carry it's spare tire? If you have a flat, will the tire rip out the fender well? How can you tell when the axle needs replacement? What's the optimal tire pressure? Are you going to install a mascerating pump so you don't have to dump it now? Why is there air?


Nice mod

Roger

I feel so inadequate. I can only answer one of your questions.



I always extend the tip of my tongue, usually from the corner of my mouth, when I do complex operations, such as hooking something up.

Every Phys-Ed major knows why there is air!

It's for blowing up basketballs!

Thank you Bill Cosby.

So Steve, where does the basketball hoop attachment go?

If I take Steve's idea, combine it with Mary's, and use a 4 Wheeler tote with a side discharge, I COULD drive it up and just dump 'er out.

Now THAT would be a mod that I would just love.

I know, I know! I could put a hitch on a Segway and tow my tote!

And I was hoping for a whole new class of down-hill racers. Can't you picture 20 or 30 blue totes with riders lined up at the top of a slope? Yeeeeee-hawww!
Kurt & Ann K.

Hmmm. They say sh*t flows down hill. This would confirm it.

Donna,
The style you posted could be raced just as well, but it's not as "green" due to the use of fossil fuel to make it function. I caught your play on words. If this topic is really going to take off, the title should be alterred to reflect the true nature of the evolving subject matter. How about it Steve L., didn't you start this? If so, then you are the one to make the decision.
This has the potential to be as big as Okra if imagination continues to grow.
Kurt & Ann K.

Sheez roger,

you might as well cover the A/C roof or side mount topic, and what type of satelite dish/ antenna do I need too! I like my blue tote with a one person handle and am radio only. KISS right!

Well, Steve... as long as Dave brought it up, what ABOUT the A/C install? Is it a roof mount or floor mount? How about the satellite dish? Is there any provision for a slideout? How 'bout an inverter/converter? Did I miss anything?

Roger

Open the black cap, and tip it up vertical. The contents will slide right out!

Ok, Steve, I trashed your thread, and didn't give your idea it's due. It's time for me to admit that it's an intelligent and useful mod, and I appologize for giving you such a hard time... Good job!

Roger

(Peeking around cracked-open door to room.)

I'm sorry for poking too much "fun" at your expense.

One thing I notice about your mod is that your air-filled tires would be quieter than the hard plastic ones that come with the totes from the manufacturer.

No problem here. Beyond populating the Mod form as Chester asked I thought I more or less started the slide to potty humor. More than one person has told me I'm full of, it, anyhow! Thought I'd just let it peter out before the moderators had to move it to the Jokes forum.

Does this have the ability to be towed behind your tow so you can drive it to the dump?

Paul

If by dump you mean dump station, yes, it tows very well and they're quieter than the plastic wheels. I don't think highway speeds are appropriate, but certainly as fast as the plastic wheels, however fast that is. They are more than adequate for the load capacity (300 pounds each at their rated 30 psi). A full 15 gallon tank would be around 120 pounds.

My goodness!! I leave for a few months and all hell breaks loose! This thread proves it, you know. We are ALL NUTS!! :l31

If you are racing blue totes on a big hill and have a bad accident, do they send an ambulance or a septic pumping truck to the scene???

I'm sorry, I will go to my trailer for a while.

Bob,
There's only one possible answer to your questions--YES!!! Or as my granddaughter would say, . DUH.

Kristi, the discussion was about something other than hell busting loose.

Just look what happens when "fertile" imaginations are involved in psuedo productive
endeavors.

Kurt & Ann K. off to my room, too.

This topic is starting to stink

I was at the auto parts store this morning. Make a small modification this afternoon.

Man. When we got hacked,I thought that was bad.BUT now I see that we have gone over the edge

Serious mistake there, Steve. Too slick, somebody's gonna steal it...

Wow..FLAMES. Is that what happens when you light a match around this tote?? I understand methane is extremely flammable

Hi, Kristi! I've been wondering about you, about how you fared with the hurricanes... Wilma in particular, of course. Great to "see you."

Great idea. It looks like its getting great smilage.

The Mighty Okra God smiles upon the hot-roddin' souped-up blue tote adherants! What a great hobby! And a forum all set to appreciate it!

Donna... should this thread be merged with your "hot rod" Christmas wish thread?

Roger

Frankly, I'm beginning to be a little embarassed that there are 39 posts on my little modification. It must touch a nerve, or some such body part.

Steve,

Could THIS be YOUR 15 minutes of fame?

Roger

That's cause it's CLEAN potty humor