Introduction: 1,000 Lbs Dock/Beach Cart for Under $50
I had been looking for a bomb-proof dock/beach cart that could easily roll on grass or sand with a full cooler, entire SCUBA dive kit, and some other gear to boot. I didn't want to spend much and didn't find anything on the market that fit the bill. So I made one.
Step 1: Find a Used Dolly on Craigslist With Inflatable Tires.
I paid $25. Make sure the tires hold air and don't leak or worse: are flat.
Step 2: Go to Home Depot With $24.99. Find a Cooler in Your Garage.
You'll need: 4 U-bolts with washers, a large mortar/concrete mixing tub, two pieces of soft scrap lumber from the bargain bin, some FLEXIBLE PVC pipe and 2 elbows (plus glue if you don't have it in the house). Total cost: $24.99.
You will also need a cooler but I assume you have one in the garage already (you won't be drilling any holes or damaging it in any way).
*lay your scrap lumber, already cut to 48" in length, lengthwise on the dolly's runners
*place the cooler you plan to use on top of the lumber, at the bottom of the dolly closest to/over the wheels (this will likely be the heaviest part of your loaded rig once it's filled with ice, salt, and beverages)
*place the mixing tub behind the cooler, centered on the dolly and flush/snug with the cooler (it MUST be snug to hold the cooler in place without the need for straps or similar)
*mark the location of where your tub needs to be attached (to keep it snug with your cooler) with masking tape or similar on both the TUB BOTTOM, the LUMBER, and the DOLLY FRAME (I used painter's tape)
*drill holes (2 for each U-bolt) through both the lumber and tub (measure twice - drill once - not all U-bolts are identical spacing)
*bolt the entire assembly together like a lumber sandwich: DOLLY + LUMBER + TUB (place washers inside the tub... plastic will become brittle after wear and tear in the sun and salt)
*the handle is simply a short length of FLEXIBLE PVC piping bent like a horseshoe with the gap closed by elbows and a straight length of pipe, glued shut with heavy duty PVC cement, and, then lashed onto the dolly frame/handle with heavy duty zip-ties doubled wrapped
You will also need a cooler but I assume you have one in the garage already (you won't be drilling any holes or damaging it in any way).
*lay your scrap lumber, already cut to 48" in length, lengthwise on the dolly's runners
*place the cooler you plan to use on top of the lumber, at the bottom of the dolly closest to/over the wheels (this will likely be the heaviest part of your loaded rig once it's filled with ice, salt, and beverages)
*place the mixing tub behind the cooler, centered on the dolly and flush/snug with the cooler (it MUST be snug to hold the cooler in place without the need for straps or similar)
*mark the location of where your tub needs to be attached (to keep it snug with your cooler) with masking tape or similar on both the TUB BOTTOM, the LUMBER, and the DOLLY FRAME (I used painter's tape)
*drill holes (2 for each U-bolt) through both the lumber and tub (measure twice - drill once - not all U-bolts are identical spacing)
*bolt the entire assembly together like a lumber sandwich: DOLLY + LUMBER + TUB (place washers inside the tub... plastic will become brittle after wear and tear in the sun and salt)
*the handle is simply a short length of FLEXIBLE PVC piping bent like a horseshoe with the gap closed by elbows and a straight length of pipe, glued shut with heavy duty PVC cement, and, then lashed onto the dolly frame/handle with heavy duty zip-ties doubled wrapped
Step 3:
Fill your cooler, place it in the cradle you created between tub and dolly bottom, and haul your gear out to the boat or the beach.
Step 4: Personalize Your Rig.
Add some custom art to your new rig.