Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

Transportation Issues

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Categories: Projects and equipment; Commerce and business

Word count/read time: 451 words; 2 minutes

To a certain degree, vehicle size will dictate what can be sold, the quantity, footprint of the display area or booth size, and other factors. My booth contents require the biggest vehicle possible. Even then, it's a scramble to fit everything.

One drawback to having this much is getting everything from car to booth, the so-called "last mile." Even with a dolly that converts into a cart, it still takes at least two, sometimes three, precarious trips.

Mine has partially collapsed despite never approaching its weight limit. Flimsy construction and substandard materials encourage the 2" solid rear caster wheels to seek out soft surfaces and bog down. Unpaved or rough terrain is like quicksand.

Its replacement is an extra-heavy duty garden cart with pneumatic tires. While it needs modifications, it would take much longer to make one from scratch. The main concern is a speedy assembly/disassembly because it is too bulky to fit in the car (ironic, since I literally have the largest SUV by cargo space).

Modifying it to such an extreme would be daunting. Setting it up and breaking it down multiple times per day should save overall time. Compact or not, fitting it inside the car was still going to be a PITA.

Just before surgery, hacksaw in hand, Captain Obvious visited and said mount it to the roof rack fully assembled and be done with it. There's like half an acre up there, plenty of room for this thing.

Getting it to the roof rack easily will take some planning; a good sled with guide rails and a pulley should solve that. Some people forget their roof rack is loaded until they hear that distinctive crunch on a low structure. Fingers are crossed, knock on wood.

Then again, a trailer hitch cargo rack would eliminate much hassle but there's still disconnecting it while unloading, storing it during the show, and repeating multiple times each day. Someone's gonna wear road grime and grease, this heavy and bulky beast.

Ultimately, none of those were suitable. Instead, I modified the cart to accept a removable tongue so it can be put directly into the trailer hitch receiver. Undo a hitch pin and it is freed in seconds, easy peasy! Plus, it could carry additional stuff on the deck. Now if only I could put a motor on it....

Anything from the heavens spells nightmare dirtiness and nothing will prevent it. A plastic garden sprayer should clean it upon arrival. My displays will be damaged if they get wet; a cover or tarp is crucial for the "last mile." Plan for the worst and expect the unexpected but until it happens, you just never know.

Posted by M: January 15, 2025

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