39 replies to this topic

[rbrown]

I am slowly destroying my little green road cart on the trails, so I've decided it's time to trade in one of the road carts, either the green one or Skippy's new one, for a cart I can have more fun with I've been looking at Smart Carts and Minicrowns, but came across the Fox Lane carts- they're closer to my ideal price range at $1450 (which makes me slightly suspicious, LOL) but I like the look of them and figured they might work just fine for what I'm looking for (a cart that won't fall apart on me when I take Kandy up to the bumpy trails at a canter!). They are a little heavier at 128 lbs, but the green road cart is really, really heavy and Kandy is a tank!! I am not sure what the road cart weighs, but I can hardly pick one side up, and it is really hard to pull up inclines...

Anyway, I'm too far to go over and see one in person, so would love to know if anyone here has any opinions on them. I haven't found much info on them online in my searches.

[Sue_C.]

I think it looks like a great cart, especially for the price. It certainly seems compatible with the Pacific training cart, which is unavailable in mini size. Besides, the Pacific training cart, at the smallest, (11hh min) is $3850, which in my opinion, is far-far overpriced...and one is paying a LOT for that name. Come on now...all it is, is a "C" spring pipe cart for goodness sakes. And, to tell you the truth, even after having driven my buddy's Halflinger in her Pacific trail cart...I still say that my little G & S Trail Cart gives a far smoother ride..check out the price of that cart...a lot of bang for your buck there, and easily "fancied" up with some sewing skills and some naugahide...as I made myself the seat drop, and back drop from seat back to seat.

[rbrown]

The lady where I keep my horses has Pacifics with the C springs for her Haflingers. They look nice, seem durable, but I've never ridden in one.

Hmm, I'd forgotten about the G&S Trail Cart- looks nice enough for what I need (not showing at the moment, and probably not in the near future). Right now my primary concern is finding a cart that will hold up to Kandy (that little icon looks like her LOL). I am assuming yours is holding up well, Sue? Any idea what the weight is? I can't find that on their website... will have to give them a call!

[Minimor]

The c springs give a MUCH softer ride than the little coil springs that so many carts have. The air bags of the smart cart give a better ride still.

I cannot comment on the durability of the fox lane.

[Matthijs]

Have you thought about the HyperBike? It is within your budget and it is most certainly the best bang for your buck. I think it is the best for trails as it has the widest wheel base from all carts I have seen. Getting in and out seems to be the only fear that holds people back from it but if your horse stands well, and I think that is e requirement for every trail horse you will get handy with that in a matter of days. Check out the website at www.grahamcarrigeworks.com there is also a hyperbike forum on fb where you will find a whole group of people sharing their stories and experience with the HB. We have a pacific smart cart and a HyperBike but I would say the Hyperbike is most suited for trail use.

[susanne]

Have you contacted the manufacturers? I'd ask if you can contact a customer or two. It looks nice, but even that price is significant if you're not happy. Like you, I'd love to hear what those who already own one have to say.

[Matthijs]

The big difference between the the Fox and the pacific smart cart, wich would be your mini sized vehicle, is the suspension, the Fox only has springs for the driver!!! The pacific has air suspension that will absorb the shocks not only for the driver but also for the horse. The next big one is the adjustability of the smart cart it is adjustable in so many ways that it will always be possible within the size range to have a balanced cart so you are not jarring your little horse around. IMHO you can not compare the two, it is like comparing a Fiat to a Lexus, yes the Fiat has four seats and a motor and rear view mirrors. In this case I think if you are talking about going on trails, and already have the experience of destroying your current cart, you have to look at not only short term things and your personal comfort but also at what strains you are putting on your horse. Your Pacific smart cart will hold its value as will the Hyperbike. Now there is the other one, no visible shock absorbers here, The whole frame is the shock absorber, this results in superb comfort for the driver as well as the horse. No I do not own part of any of these outfits but I have not seen any two wheelers that compare.

[Jules]

I had looked at the website a week or two ago. They certainly look like handsome carts for the price.
I am thinking that the HB does sound more suitable for trail fun and hooning though (from someone who is harbouring HB desires herself..)

[Sue_C.]

I do love my G& S cart, and also found the C-springs harder to take than the coil springs, could just be me... I have used my cart everywhere, and just finished a 7km marathon with it, and have to say it did very well. I did have to check, and tighten two bolts afterwards, but I wasn't the only one. LOL!

Matthijs, there is no comparison between the Smart cart, and any cart with coil or C-springs, but the Pacific TRAIL cart, (unavailable in mini-size anyways) is the one I referred to as also having only C-springs, and the cost is phenomenally higher than any other C-spring cart, at almost $4000 before taxes and shipping...there is no WAY any ordinary pipe cart is worth that.

[rbrown]

So much good advice here! Love this forum.

As far as the hyperbike goes, I love the idea of it (and know Kandy would too!!), and I think we'd have a blast. I was leaning toward carts that can fit 2 people, though- right now my girls are being used in a lesson program, earning their keep this summer, and they like to have 2 girls per cart as they don't have enough horses and carts to go around. I think I'll talk to the driving instructor and barn manager and see what they think. I do need to sell a road cart if I get a new cart, don't think I can afford to keep it and buy another (and besides, I can't use 3 carts! 2 is plenty for me).

I'm also looking at a used Smart Cart, and waiting to see if shipping is going to push it way too far out of my price range. I know it would be a super investment, just need to see if it's going to be too much of a stretch to grab this one- I know used ones don't come up very often! In the meantime, it is definitely the first thing on my "when I am rich" wishlist and I will probably start saving up for one when I start my new job if this one doesn't work out. I didn't realize it absorbed shocks for the horse as well- actually didn't realize that was possible, so that is good to know. Kandy is a tank and hardly ever complains, but she's such a great little horse and deserves as much comfort as possible.

I have kind of been upgrading all of my equipment slowly, when I can afford it. Both of the girls are in freedom collars now, which they love, and I just bought a new deluxe Country Carriages saddle for Kandy's harness. Now I'm thinking that maybe I should just wait, and save up for my perfect cart... which would mean staying off the trails We would survive, but it's just so tempting to buy a cart right now, since the weather's great, I'm at the barn every day, and Kandy is in good shape. I'm sure come September, when school starts and I'm working, I won't be at the barn as frequently so won't have to think of the fun I'm missing on the trails, LOL.

I took my boyfriend to the barn tonight to show him my poor beat up road cart- the good news is that only the seat back, which was an addition to the cart and evidently not constructed as well as the rest of the cart, is in a sad state (that's what was making the falling-apart, rattling sound). Everything else looks good to go! Just needed to tighten some bolts here and there. (He also drove Skippy for a few minutes in the arena, and has decided that next time he'd like to try a cones course. I think I might have a future driving partner!!)