Hi guys,
I am looking at buying a (non motorised) barrow, but I never used one. Could you guys please advise me what I should consider or think about when buying one? Doni really wouldn't know what I will/can expect to encounter.
Thanks in advance!
I am looking at buying a (non motorised) barrow, but I never used one. Could you guys please advise me what I should consider or think about when buying one? Doni really wouldn't know what I will/can expect to encounter.
Thanks in advance!
In reply to Post #1
Get a 3 wheeled one, I had a single wheel one and it knackered me because you have to take the weight of it with the handles. So I got Global Angling to knock me up a set of rear wheels, best £100 I've spent.
Get a 3 wheeled one, I had a single wheel one and it knackered me because you have to take the weight of it with the handles. So I got Global Angling to knock me up a set of rear wheels, best £100 I've spent.
In reply to Post #2
I agree that applies with lakes with proper tracks around them, but three wheels are worse going through heavy mud and rough ground. A single narrow wheel is the one in those conditions.
To the OP. I have a Fox Explorer, decent barrow but If I was going to buy again I would get the Porterlite. Nice and simple and small pack up.
I agree that applies with lakes with proper tracks around them, but three wheels are worse going through heavy mud and rough ground. A single narrow wheel is the one in those conditions.
To the OP. I have a Fox Explorer, decent barrow but If I was going to buy again I would get the Porterlite. Nice and simple and small pack up.
I have a trakker gravity barrow, no longer made I'm afraid but the concept of putting as much weight as possible in front of and above the front wheel is still a possibility with their current offering the x trail. You need the handles low so when standing the weight is on the front wheel and not your arms, load it right and you can end up having to push the handles down rather than holding weight on them. My gravity barrow is exceptionally well made with quality materials, has already lasted at least 8 years and has loads of life in it yet....get a powered wheel for it and it's even better.
In reply to Post #1
If going for a single wheel barrow make sure the wheel is set far enough back to get some weight ahead of it. I can load my original Carp Porter so that there is very little weight on the handles. Unfortunately this makes it less stable, so you have to be careful where you park it for a chat or a rest. With a three wheeled barrow you can get away with the load set further back as you don't have to lift it, except to change direction. Personally I don't find any need for for side bars, I found they were more hinderence than useful, I've removed them on both my barrows. As you will be pushing it go for a narrow wheel, wide tractor style wheels are more suited to a power barrow.
If going for a single wheel barrow make sure the wheel is set far enough back to get some weight ahead of it. I can load my original Carp Porter so that there is very little weight on the handles. Unfortunately this makes it less stable, so you have to be careful where you park it for a chat or a rest. With a three wheeled barrow you can get away with the load set further back as you don't have to lift it, except to change direction. Personally I don't find any need for for side bars, I found they were more hinderence than useful, I've removed them on both my barrows. As you will be pushing it go for a narrow wheel, wide tractor style wheels are more suited to a power barrow.
In reply to Post #5
Do you have to go through any narrow gate or over bridges. I have a triporter which is great for some lakes I fish. However, one lake I fish has a narrow bridge, and the triporter cannot negotiate through. Need amother small barrow for that venue.
Do you have to go through any narrow gate or over bridges. I have a triporter which is great for some lakes I fish. However, one lake I fish has a narrow bridge, and the triporter cannot negotiate through. Need amother small barrow for that venue.
In reply to Post #1
Look for one with underframe storage, keeps your smaller bags, bottles tucked away and helps save space.
Fox and avid cover this well
Look for one with underframe storage, keeps your smaller bags, bottles tucked away and helps save space.
Fox and avid cover this well
In reply to Post #6
Yes I do, on one lake I have to cross up to 3 bridges, it was never a problem until I bought a fox frontier which I find is easiest to transport across the barrow but 2 of the bridges have gates that make that impossible, so I have to unload in now and carry it across.
Yes I do, on one lake I have to cross up to 3 bridges, it was never a problem until I bought a fox frontier which I find is easiest to transport across the barrow but 2 of the bridges have gates that make that impossible, so I have to unload in now and carry it across.
Thanks all for your replies. Very helpful!
I don't have to cross narrow bridges, so that is something I don't really have to worry about. I was more thinking about things like 1 or 3 wheels, side bars or not, what type of wheel indeed.
I will check some out. Thanks again!
I don't have to cross narrow bridges, so that is something I don't really have to worry about. I was more thinking about things like 1 or 3 wheels, side bars or not, what type of wheel indeed.
I will check some out. Thanks again!
In reply to Post #9
Your sidebars are your bedchair legs 👍
Your sidebars are your bedchair legs 👍
In reply to Post #9
I would say go for a narrow wheel, but the largest diameter. Three wheel barrows are great for smoothish flat tracks. I've got a 3 wheel power porter, when loaded it's very heavy to lift the handles, which you need to do when changing direction or traversing side slopes. In short, if you're wanting to take heavy loads on a reasonably flat track a 3 wheeler is probably best. If the terrain is a bit rougher with side slopes, I think a single wheel would be better.
I would say go for a narrow wheel, but the largest diameter. Three wheel barrows are great for smoothish flat tracks. I've got a 3 wheel power porter, when loaded it's very heavy to lift the handles, which you need to do when changing direction or traversing side slopes. In short, if you're wanting to take heavy loads on a reasonably flat track a 3 wheeler is probably best. If the terrain is a bit rougher with side slopes, I think a single wheel would be better.
Making sure you don't over or under inflate your barrow wheels pressure..mine is 25psi max,porterlite 2
Barrow cover,maybe get a 7ft by 8ft dpm army tarp great addition many other uses
Barrow cover,maybe get a 7ft by 8ft dpm army tarp great addition many other uses
In reply to Post #3
What would make you choose the porterlite over the explorer?
What would make you choose the porterlite over the explorer?
The Fox Deluxe compact barrow and the Trakker X trail I like the look of. Only difference is that the x-trail can be extended from within the frame, while the Fox you can slide the m-shaped upright for laying on the rods towards you or away fro you.
What would you prefer?
What would you prefer?
I have an Carp Porter MK2 (last versions) worst buy ever, metal material is cheap chinese junk, then bought a Nash trax old model much better quality but the are big.
Total tackle fishing have an adapted Fox barrow: Deluxe TT camo
Total tackle fishing have an adapted Fox barrow: Deluxe TT camo
In reply to Post #13
Cost. I cannot knock the Explorer but when I got a new barrow a few years ago the Explorer was more than double the price of the Porterlite 2. I bought it direct from Prestige and got a free barrow cover and a few spectra and barrow straps included. I also like the additional bits you can use of needed, like water carriers and bait buckets. Even with those additions it cost more than £70 less at the time. Not sure if there is such a price gap now, but they are both relatively simple barrows, with underbag storage and small(ish) packdown sizes
Cost. I cannot knock the Explorer but when I got a new barrow a few years ago the Explorer was more than double the price of the Porterlite 2. I bought it direct from Prestige and got a free barrow cover and a few spectra and barrow straps included. I also like the additional bits you can use of needed, like water carriers and bait buckets. Even with those additions it cost more than £70 less at the time. Not sure if there is such a price gap now, but they are both relatively simple barrows, with underbag storage and small(ish) packdown sizes
In reply to Post #15
I would agree with that Zinno, my old gray carp porter has 1.5mm thick walls to the box section, my newer power porter only 1.0mm. I've had to reinforce all the clamping points.
I would agree with that Zinno, my old gray carp porter has 1.5mm thick walls to the box section, my newer power porter only 1.0mm. I've had to reinforce all the clamping points.
In reply to Post #13
The simple and compact design. This is probably more a personal thing, and may not apply to you. I want to take minimal kit, throw some bits in the under bag and get moving.
The Fox is a nice design, but I don't need the mesh side bags and the handle thumb screws are pants. I also replaced the wide, inflatable wheel it came with as it's not great in heavy mud. The main bag is decent though.
The simple and compact design. This is probably more a personal thing, and may not apply to you. I want to take minimal kit, throw some bits in the under bag and get moving.
The Fox is a nice design, but I don't need the mesh side bags and the handle thumb screws are pants. I also replaced the wide, inflatable wheel it came with as it's not great in heavy mud. The main bag is decent though.
I was given a Fox Explorer Barrow Deluxe by a generous forum member some years ago and changed the handles to CARP PORTER MK2 FAT BOY CROSS BAR HANDLES this transforms it as its only fault is the handles with a heavy load feel like elastic
as a result I now have the perfect barrow IMHO I love it as I can literally fish out of the barrow with its brilliant storage system
if you have a small car it packs down really small I have a Peugeot 406 estate and with nothing on top of it but the underbags etc loaded it wheels straight in the back of my car easy
PS
(I have just bought the Global Angling kit rear wheels and motorised it only used it in the garden but its amazing)
as a result I now have the perfect barrow IMHO I love it as I can literally fish out of the barrow with its brilliant storage system
if you have a small car it packs down really small I have a Peugeot 406 estate and with nothing on top of it but the underbags etc loaded it wheels straight in the back of my car easy
PS
(I have just bought the Global Angling kit rear wheels and motorised it only used it in the garden but its amazing)
In reply to Post #19
Top tip OG, I'll check out those handles. As you say, the original ones are toffee
Top tip OG, I'll check out those handles. As you say, the original ones are toffee
In reply to Post #20
Dont ignore the Avid barrow - lots of features -far better build than porters.
Dont ignore the Avid barrow - lots of features -far better build than porters.
In reply to Post #20
if you manage to get some they are an exact fit slide straight in
its these ones about £29 ish
EDIT
IF ?? you cant get any a good temp fix is get a ratchet strap and put it where the crossbar is in the picture crank it tight and it works well
if you manage to get some they are an exact fit slide straight in
its these ones about £29 ish
EDIT
IF ?? you cant get any a good temp fix is get a ratchet strap and put it where the crossbar is in the picture crank it tight and it works well
Thanks for all of you great input guys. I can now make a well prepared choice! 
Had a trakker galaxy, thought it was alright but always struggled pushing it far as shoulders were on fire, pushed my mates carp porter mk2 and couldn't belive how much easier it was so sold it straight saway and bought a fatboy mk2... Best decision ever.
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