With the years advancing, and seemingly more and heavier gear needed for longer sessions now made possible by retirement,
Thoughts drift towards a motorised carp barrow, there seems to be mixed reports on each version as makers vie for a place in the market,
any advice on that which stands out from the rest or possibly avoided.
Thoughts drift towards a motorised carp barrow, there seems to be mixed reports on each version as makers vie for a place in the market,
any advice on that which stands out from the rest or possibly avoided.
In reply to Post #1
IF you have a perfectly good barrow already ?
I would suggest you consider fitting a kit I have a Fox Explorer Barrow and did lots of research there are 3 company`s that produce kits I went with the one thats the most experienced over 10 years quality British-made product.
and gets 5 star reviews on products and after sales
and fitted one of their plug and play kits that takes less than 30mins !!
TRUST ME !!!
the power and performance is equal or exceeds any of the ready produced ones that cost upto a grand !! so I saved a fair few hundred quid and got great back up after sales if needed
Its the Global Angling one LINKY POO
IF you have a perfectly good barrow already ?
I would suggest you consider fitting a kit I have a Fox Explorer Barrow and did lots of research there are 3 company`s that produce kits I went with the one thats the most experienced over 10 years quality British-made product.
and gets 5 star reviews on products and after sales
and fitted one of their plug and play kits that takes less than 30mins !!
TRUST ME !!!
the power and performance is equal or exceeds any of the ready produced ones that cost upto a grand !! so I saved a fair few hundred quid and got great back up after sales if needed
Its the Global Angling one LINKY POO
In reply to Post #2
I did exactly the same Mr Geezer - I sent them the following feedback whish may be useful - I LOVE MINE, complete game changer, I loved moving swims anyway - this makes it so easy and I honestly believe caught me it's first fish last Sunday - I started at 9amset up, was fishing less than hour and a fish rolled on the other side of the poxy lake, which is about a 15 min hard push - I was round there so easy and caught it within 10 mins of flicking 1 rode out only!
Fox Explorer
I called Global and chatted through with them my requirements and the guy was super helpful, guiding not just to sell but what might suit. From the various battery options, through to types of usage I got the impression he wants happy customers a lot more than just customers. I was recommended to him from a couple of mates and wouldn't hesitate to recommend in future.
The price isn't cheap but very comparable with other options and given I love my Explorer barrow converting this was ideal for me as whilst I don't often fish more than days it gave me the option to load it to the gunnels.
It arrived within 48 hours of order and packaged and protected super well. Whilst I know fitting is meant to be really easy I left it sat in the hall for a couple of days until I had some really clear time to concentrate on it.
As soon as I got it out the box I just dreaded that I would have ordered the wrong one, and I had a minor scare that the wheel unit was a couple of mm tighter that the one I had replaced so was difficult to get on the forks. I soon realised this is because for strength these have a cross bar on the global ones whereas the fox originals were independent. It did take 5 mins huffing and puffing to get them on – for me as I wheel straight into a van no issue, however removing ever trip I would need to sort (I think you can slightly loosen the cross brace).
The plug and play nature worked seamlessly and I reckon all in it took about 30mins to do a good job and get the bits where you need them. I didn't want to use the pannier for the battery so have put a waterproof case on the front that neatly takes the control box and battery. The controller box is super lightweight but fairly big I'm sure it's big due to components used and has the added ‘value' of a usb port for use as a battery pack – so you can tell the other half that its almost a free addition!
I've used on three (now 6) sessions and only in use can you understand the 3 speeds that it comes with – one is a crawl that is ideal up a ramp into the van, the second is a leisurely stroll and the third is the show off to your mates and watch them leg it behind the barrow. Battery charging was a pain in the rs the first time as I am allergic to instructions especially ones on-line – read them and it takes two minuets – I should have realised , an hour before. Once you suss it two hours and the lithium is still showing near full charge after three trips and several swim moves.
The other thing I did as I don't ever need to collapse the barrow was replace the big fork screws as they impeded the pannier bags – I used allen keys that screwed in tight and are super flush. If anyone has a barrow they love and want to convert it – Global has top drawer service and products well played – it really is a game changer for moving swims and getting on the fish.
I did exactly the same Mr Geezer - I sent them the following feedback whish may be useful - I LOVE MINE, complete game changer, I loved moving swims anyway - this makes it so easy and I honestly believe caught me it's first fish last Sunday - I started at 9amset up, was fishing less than hour and a fish rolled on the other side of the poxy lake, which is about a 15 min hard push - I was round there so easy and caught it within 10 mins of flicking 1 rode out only!
Fox Explorer
I called Global and chatted through with them my requirements and the guy was super helpful, guiding not just to sell but what might suit. From the various battery options, through to types of usage I got the impression he wants happy customers a lot more than just customers. I was recommended to him from a couple of mates and wouldn't hesitate to recommend in future.
The price isn't cheap but very comparable with other options and given I love my Explorer barrow converting this was ideal for me as whilst I don't often fish more than days it gave me the option to load it to the gunnels.
It arrived within 48 hours of order and packaged and protected super well. Whilst I know fitting is meant to be really easy I left it sat in the hall for a couple of days until I had some really clear time to concentrate on it.
As soon as I got it out the box I just dreaded that I would have ordered the wrong one, and I had a minor scare that the wheel unit was a couple of mm tighter that the one I had replaced so was difficult to get on the forks. I soon realised this is because for strength these have a cross bar on the global ones whereas the fox originals were independent. It did take 5 mins huffing and puffing to get them on – for me as I wheel straight into a van no issue, however removing ever trip I would need to sort (I think you can slightly loosen the cross brace).
The plug and play nature worked seamlessly and I reckon all in it took about 30mins to do a good job and get the bits where you need them. I didn't want to use the pannier for the battery so have put a waterproof case on the front that neatly takes the control box and battery. The controller box is super lightweight but fairly big I'm sure it's big due to components used and has the added ‘value' of a usb port for use as a battery pack – so you can tell the other half that its almost a free addition!
I've used on three (now 6) sessions and only in use can you understand the 3 speeds that it comes with – one is a crawl that is ideal up a ramp into the van, the second is a leisurely stroll and the third is the show off to your mates and watch them leg it behind the barrow. Battery charging was a pain in the rs the first time as I am allergic to instructions especially ones on-line – read them and it takes two minuets – I should have realised , an hour before. Once you suss it two hours and the lithium is still showing near full charge after three trips and several swim moves.
The other thing I did as I don't ever need to collapse the barrow was replace the big fork screws as they impeded the pannier bags – I used allen keys that screwed in tight and are super flush. If anyone has a barrow they love and want to convert it – Global has top drawer service and products well played – it really is a game changer for moving swims and getting on the fish.
In reply to Post #3
I 2nd this too..
Also worth looking at one of the carp shows, at Farnborough last year I could compare the 2 companies that offered the conversion.
Went with global as the quality was obvious
I 2nd this too..
Also worth looking at one of the carp shows, at Farnborough last year I could compare the 2 companies that offered the conversion.
Went with global as the quality was obvious
In reply to Post #4
thanks, I intend to look at those suggestions, I do have a non powered barrow at present, and I was shocked at the prices of a carp porter with a motor fitted,at over a grand!!!
a kit certainly looks to be the way to go,
what sort of weight are these barrows capable of carrying on the type of terrain around the average lake, often muddy or uneven ground.
I see many adds and promotional shots with brand new bags and kit that all look like they were packed with bubble wrap to give the appearance of being loaded, one particular promotional advert shows a guy going up a small mountain in the cotswolds with almost no effort required, are they really that good?
thanks, I intend to look at those suggestions, I do have a non powered barrow at present, and I was shocked at the prices of a carp porter with a motor fitted,at over a grand!!!
a kit certainly looks to be the way to go,
what sort of weight are these barrows capable of carrying on the type of terrain around the average lake, often muddy or uneven ground.
I see many adds and promotional shots with brand new bags and kit that all look like they were packed with bubble wrap to give the appearance of being loaded, one particular promotional advert shows a guy going up a small mountain in the cotswolds with almost no effort required, are they really that good?
In reply to Post #5
If I could add a pic I would, but I take my avid transit fully loaded and that's heavy.
I have to put it on the highest speed setting to get around my lake but if I added the rear wheels I guess I wouldn't need that setting.
If I could add a pic I would, but I take my avid transit fully loaded and that's heavy.
I have to put it on the highest speed setting to get around my lake but if I added the rear wheels I guess I wouldn't need that setting.
In reply to Post #5
YES they are easily as powerful and IMHO better than some
a good mate of mine self employed was doing well and had the top of the range 24v powered barrow regularly fishing a large lake with a long walk
then Covid came and lock down he was forced to sell his gear then things got better and he just bought a basic Mk2 porter but after using it for a couple of months he decided rather than get a heart attack
he would have to motorise it
and as it was the cheapest option he went with a global Angling kit he says it performs BETTER than his previous ready made barrow and of course worked out miles cheaper too
YES they are easily as powerful and IMHO better than some
a good mate of mine self employed was doing well and had the top of the range 24v powered barrow regularly fishing a large lake with a long walk
then Covid came and lock down he was forced to sell his gear then things got better and he just bought a basic Mk2 porter but after using it for a couple of months he decided rather than get a heart attack
he would have to motorise it
and as it was the cheapest option he went with a global Angling kit he says it performs BETTER than his previous ready made barrow and of course worked out miles cheaper too
In reply to Post #7
seems global version is popular, carp porter is definitely the most expensive, how about barrow conversions UK, anybody tried those,
carpycarts is another, and not forgetting the ready made nash versions.
any others worth considering?
seems global version is popular, carp porter is definitely the most expensive, how about barrow conversions UK, anybody tried those,
carpycarts is another, and not forgetting the ready made nash versions.
any others worth considering?
In reply to Post #8
How does the global version compare to the carp porter one?
I have a tri-porter and the carp porter motor upgrade is almost the cost of the entire barrow new! £850!
How does the global version compare to the carp porter one?
I have a tri-porter and the carp porter motor upgrade is almost the cost of the entire barrow new! £850!
In reply to Post #9
most of my past cars and vans in my fishing life cost less than a carp porter, now owned by Korda? so I'm informed.
most of my past cars and vans in my fishing life cost less than a carp porter, now owned by Korda? so I'm informed.
In reply to Post #9
Can't do a comparison, but I'm pretty happy with my power porter Mk6, except for the quality of material used in the barrow chassis. I've read that hub motors are often regarded as inferior to the external motors, but no idea if that's true. On the Power porter the drive can be disconnected should there be a failure, making it easy to push, can this be done with the hub motors?
Can't do a comparison, but I'm pretty happy with my power porter Mk6, except for the quality of material used in the barrow chassis. I've read that hub motors are often regarded as inferior to the external motors, but no idea if that's true. On the Power porter the drive can be disconnected should there be a failure, making it easy to push, can this be done with the hub motors?
In reply to Post #11
If the reports are accurate there is almost no resistance on the hub motor so it pushes like a normal barrow when not being driven.
the armature doesn't contact anything so nothing to drag,
the carp porter side motor has a reduction gearbox, this needs a way of disengaging, hence the drive sleeve.
I believe the motor on carp porters is an HGV wiper motor.
If the reports are accurate there is almost no resistance on the hub motor so it pushes like a normal barrow when not being driven.
the armature doesn't contact anything so nothing to drag,
the carp porter side motor has a reduction gearbox, this needs a way of disengaging, hence the drive sleeve.
I believe the motor on carp porters is an HGV wiper motor.
In reply to Post #12
Sounds reasonable.
If you're happy with the barrow you've got I definitely recommend looking into the hub motor kits, a lot of people seem very happy with them. I'd probably buy a pair of rear wheels at the same time.
Sounds reasonable.
If you're happy with the barrow you've got I definitely recommend looking into the hub motor kits, a lot of people seem very happy with them. I'd probably buy a pair of rear wheels at the same time.
People may want to consider after sales service before buying what is an expensive item. As I already had a new Nash tax barrow when I searched I found global were only a short drive from me so phoned them and they weren't sure if the model barrow I had so popped down to them and they adapted a carp porter one to fit by simply adding spacers and they installed it all and I gave it a drive around the car park. Very helpful and knowledgeable company so can't fault the service got from them. I've only done three sessions with mine and fished the furthest swim from the car park on a twenty six acre lake with a few small hills on route and it made it easy. Not been able to get back there for a couple of months so I recently charged the battery which was only half spent as I opted for the heavy duty one at purchase.
In reply to Post #13
I bought my barrow about the time they first arrived on the scene, along with optonics converted with a gpo speaker on the front, I got it from Dave Plummer or "casey jones"as we used to call him as he used to drive trains.
It was I was told one of the very first ones,possibly even a prototype the legs,wheel,handles are all on slugs and sockets as opposed to hinged as they are now, the frame is quite substantial compared with the china effort now used,and painted in original silver grey hammerite paint that still holding up after all these years,roughly 5 years ago I converted it to a triporter "big boy" using discarded parts from broken and abused carp porters.
I has only become harder to push as I'm almost 70 now and old injuries the origins best not spoken of make it difficult for me to do much of what was easy in my younger days.
I will definitely investigate the hub motor, my fear is having got to the far side of some lake chasing that elusive big common, or uncaught linear, and then not having enough power to get back, I suppose spare batteries would help, as would a friendly fellow angler.
I like to go for a week at a time when possible, that makes for a heavy load compared to a shorter session.
I reckon I got a few more casts before they nail the lid down.
I bought my barrow about the time they first arrived on the scene, along with optonics converted with a gpo speaker on the front, I got it from Dave Plummer or "casey jones"as we used to call him as he used to drive trains.
It was I was told one of the very first ones,possibly even a prototype the legs,wheel,handles are all on slugs and sockets as opposed to hinged as they are now, the frame is quite substantial compared with the china effort now used,and painted in original silver grey hammerite paint that still holding up after all these years,roughly 5 years ago I converted it to a triporter "big boy" using discarded parts from broken and abused carp porters.
I has only become harder to push as I'm almost 70 now and old injuries the origins best not spoken of make it difficult for me to do much of what was easy in my younger days.
I will definitely investigate the hub motor, my fear is having got to the far side of some lake chasing that elusive big common, or uncaught linear, and then not having enough power to get back, I suppose spare batteries would help, as would a friendly fellow angler.
I like to go for a week at a time when possible, that makes for a heavy load compared to a shorter session.
I reckon I got a few more casts before they nail the lid down.
In reply to Post #15
Your barrow sounds the same as mine, the original carp porter. The box sections are 50% thicker on my old one, 1.5mm compared to 1.0mm. I'm not sure you can get an off the shelf kit for it, but I'm sure one of the companies would be prepared to make one up. The chassis might need modifying to take the wider wheel.
One thing I forgot to mention is that carrying the front wheel of the Power porter in the car is a pain. It's just so big, with the wide wheel, a big motor hanging off one side and the battery tray on the other.
Your barrow sounds the same as mine, the original carp porter. The box sections are 50% thicker on my old one, 1.5mm compared to 1.0mm. I'm not sure you can get an off the shelf kit for it, but I'm sure one of the companies would be prepared to make one up. The chassis might need modifying to take the wider wheel.
One thing I forgot to mention is that carrying the front wheel of the Power porter in the car is a pain. It's just so big, with the wide wheel, a big motor hanging off one side and the battery tray on the other.
In reply to Post #15
if you PHONEglobal Angling and tell him about your unusual barrow I am completely certain he would help you and make you a one off and without jacking the price up too
if you PHONEglobal Angling and tell him about your unusual barrow I am completely certain he would help you and make you a one off and without jacking the price up too
In reply to Post #1
Don't totally ignore the current market offerings - I've owned a Nash Power Metro for about 18months now and apart from my being hamfisted with a battery connector on day 2 of ownership its been faultless ever since - you can pick these up used for a decent price and they are excellent bits of kit . . .being honest I would have probably bought a conversion kit if they were as tried and tested / readily available as they are now and am considering pimping my porterlite for this very reason.
All I would say is don't worry too much about rear wheels etc - unless your lake has a super flat track around it they are a bit counterproductive IMO and can make steering a pain - balance your barrow 'right' and the power will make it both effortless and manouverable . . .would never go back to sweating and pushing!
Don't totally ignore the current market offerings - I've owned a Nash Power Metro for about 18months now and apart from my being hamfisted with a battery connector on day 2 of ownership its been faultless ever since - you can pick these up used for a decent price and they are excellent bits of kit . . .being honest I would have probably bought a conversion kit if they were as tried and tested / readily available as they are now and am considering pimping my porterlite for this very reason.
All I would say is don't worry too much about rear wheels etc - unless your lake has a super flat track around it they are a bit counterproductive IMO and can make steering a pain - balance your barrow 'right' and the power will make it both effortless and manouverable . . .would never go back to sweating and pushing!
In reply to Post #18
"All I would say is don't worry too much about rear wheels etc - unless your lake has a super flat track around it they are a bit counterproductive IMO and can make steering a pain - balance your barrow 'right' and the power will make it both effortless and manouverable . . .would never go back to sweating and pushing!"
If the OP's barrow is the same as my old one I'd go along with this. On the early Carp porter's the wheel was set well back, making it easy to balance your kit so that there is minimal weight on the handles.
On my Power porter the wheel is much further forward, meaning there is always a lot more weight on the handles, making it much harder to manoeuvre when you need to lift the rear wheels. I couldn't imagine using it without the rear wheels as there would be too much weight on your arms.
"All I would say is don't worry too much about rear wheels etc - unless your lake has a super flat track around it they are a bit counterproductive IMO and can make steering a pain - balance your barrow 'right' and the power will make it both effortless and manouverable . . .would never go back to sweating and pushing!"
If the OP's barrow is the same as my old one I'd go along with this. On the early Carp porter's the wheel was set well back, making it easy to balance your kit so that there is minimal weight on the handles.
On my Power porter the wheel is much further forward, meaning there is always a lot more weight on the handles, making it much harder to manoeuvre when you need to lift the rear wheels. I couldn't imagine using it without the rear wheels as there would be too much weight on your arms.
In reply to Post #19
Ive had numerous power versions of carp porter - I had the 12v and never missed a trick and Ive now got the all singing 24v 3 wheel big boy from prestige and that also hasnt missed a beat in the 2 years Ive had it
Im a tart and love a gadget so I have also got a nash trax metro 24v power barrow its much more streamline (mirrors my favourite non powered porter lite for size) and pulls like a train by comparison to the porter and I really like the housing for the battery however in a year Ive had more problems with that than in 10 years of using prestige (1 x controlller unit has gone and had an issue with a throttle cable) both replaced under warranty
Make of that what you will however there are a number of self kits available nowdays from companies on fb who do self fit kits and a few lads have them on my syndicate and havent had issues and if I was in the market again thats the route Id go down
Totally agree as per below the 3 wheels is more of a gimmick for me ok on flat ground but really not necceesary
Whatever you go with - Ive said this loads onvce you have a power barrow you wont go back to a traditional version
Ive had numerous power versions of carp porter - I had the 12v and never missed a trick and Ive now got the all singing 24v 3 wheel big boy from prestige and that also hasnt missed a beat in the 2 years Ive had it
Im a tart and love a gadget so I have also got a nash trax metro 24v power barrow its much more streamline (mirrors my favourite non powered porter lite for size) and pulls like a train by comparison to the porter and I really like the housing for the battery however in a year Ive had more problems with that than in 10 years of using prestige (1 x controlller unit has gone and had an issue with a throttle cable) both replaced under warranty
Make of that what you will however there are a number of self kits available nowdays from companies on fb who do self fit kits and a few lads have them on my syndicate and havent had issues and if I was in the market again thats the route Id go down
Totally agree as per below the 3 wheels is more of a gimmick for me ok on flat ground but really not necceesary
Whatever you go with - Ive said this loads onvce you have a power barrow you wont go back to a traditional version
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