Maintenance & Restoration

Steve L. · 11-15-2005, 06:34 AM

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.

Steve L. · 11-15-2005, 06:35 AM

Another shot.

Chester Taje · 11-15-2005, 12:16 PM

That looks great Steve

**Mary F** · 11-15-2005, 12:31 PM

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!

Donna D. · 11-15-2005, 12:39 PM

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

Jackie · 11-17-2005, 01:23 AM

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....

Jackie · 11-17-2005, 01:45 AM

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....

Jackie · 11-17-2005, 01:47 AM

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!

Steve L. · 11-17-2005, 06:40 AM

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.

Roger H · 11-17-2005, 07:50 AM

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

Steve L. · 11-17-2005, 09:12 AM

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

Quote:

Did you have to extend the tongue?

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.

**Frederick L. Simson** · 11-17-2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roger H@Nov 17 2005, 05:50 AM
Why is there air?

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?

Suz · 11-17-2005, 10:04 AM

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.

Suz · 11-17-2005, 10:07 AM

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

Kurt & Ann K. · 11-17-2005, 10:55 AM

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.

Steve L. · 11-17-2005, 11:57 AM

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

Kurt & Ann K. · 11-17-2005, 05:27 PM

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.

Dave Chatham · 11-17-2005, 07:10 PM

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!

Roger H · 11-18-2005, 08:01 PM

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