How much of a twat would I be to get a beach cart?

[milesmachine]

Going on UK beach holiday in July. 2 kids 2 & 4. Plan on taking lunch with us plus all the usual towels, some foldable chairs, drinks, buckets and space, changing bag etc etc (might take DH too 😄)

I've been eyeing one of these up. Something like the attached

But....how useful are they and will I look like an utter twat??

Looks like the perfect picnic hamper to me.

You won’t be the only one so you won’t look a twat but these are buggers to pull if very laden and on soft sand.

Surely you need much wider tyres to be able to pull on easily when on the sand?

I have a similar thing for taking the numerous boxes and bags out on bin day. Care not a jot 😂

It'll depend on how soft the sand is.

I used to take the buggy and pull it backwards, kids carried stuff as well.

I took a buggy to the beach well after the youngest was 4. It was great for lugging gear but also good for bundling up a cold, wet, overwrought kid when necessary. Then I progressed to a shopping trolley. Those carts are good if you're campers or regular beach goers, though.

Just a warning they are surprisingly hard to pull once full and the sand is soft

we got very large wheels and a more upright style which is supposed to be easier and it still sunk into the sand like crazy

Well I have one, never thought I looked like a twat 🤷‍♀️. We take it shows etc, it's a god send to put drinks, chairs, food etc in. Plus, dc used to jump in for a ride back to the car after a long day (air show, for example). We also took it camping last year and down to the beach. I don't care if I look like twat. I like the fact that after a long, hot day, I'm not carrying shit loads of stuff 😀

I think they look like a brilliant alternative to struggling under the weight of endless bags, towels, coolbox and chairs. But, how well would those wheels work on sand and how would you get it down the steps to the beach? Have you found any reviews that mention their performance on sand or steps etc.?

We've got one for camping but they're a bugger when full to pull on sand!

I'm confused, why would you look like a twat? They are hardly unusual? 🙄

What about an old lady shopping trolley instead? Probably cheaper and the wheels can sometimes be wider

We have ine and its fab. We use it at the zoo, going to the park for picnics etc. Never used it directly on sand though

Not a twat but you need wider wheels for beaches.

These are great.

We have one with wide/fat wheels and a sun/rain shade. We bundle the kids, and all the beach/park gubbins in. Kids even have a sleep in it, under a blanket. (especially in the pub beer garden…😆)

I've got one too, they're perfect for the beach but you do need decent tyres to get over the sand.

We aware that those particular ones in your pic aren't very robust. The frame and wheels buckle easily.
I suggest paying a bit more for one with fat wheels.

www.amazon.co.uk/Garden-Trolley-Wheelbarrow-Tipper-4Wheel/dp/B0B3SY9F3M/ref=asc_df_B0B3SY9F3M/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=606763110421&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2544612317171337877&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045820&hvtargid=pla-1721999120604&psc=1&mcid=a694521be32d3e7db7505794d7a5cb5f

We have one and it’s great. I don’t care what anyone else thinks!

Those are much heavier and take up more space though. You can get the canvas one with better wheels. The one you linked to looks great for pulling much heavier weight but not needed for a cool box and chairs for the beach.

Haha, ok thanks all.

I have read on a few other threads that it can look typically middle class and locals cringe when they see families descend to the beaches with these

Any recommendations for ones more likely to cope with sand?

This is very similar to ours - wide wheels, sun canopy and an ‘extension’ 😆 for more stuff. It concertinas up to about 6” deep when folded on its wheels.

https://www.wayfair.co.uk/home-improvement/pdp/homcom-98cm-h-x-117cm-w-x-55cm-d-68kg-hand-truck-trolley-gcqq7677.html?piid=83883688

see them a lot at car boots too ideal for large items or heavy things

You won’t pull that on sand….they are fuckers to even pull on hard ground ( we have one we use for festivals)

All the German and Dutch people have them when we go to French campsites. I would 100% get one with multiple children and if I was able to take one by car!

These are a very common sight when I go to the beach. They look very tricky to pull on sandy beaches! We don’t have one, our kids are grown up and if we go to the beach it’s usually for an hour or two, not for a whole day where we need to take anything besides a towel really.
They can be dangerous in crowds though, they are out of immediate eyeline of adults, I’ve seen people trip over them so many times!

I live in a coastal town,loads of people use them, generally wheel the kit from the car to the top of the prom, then bike lock to the railings and carry the beach stuff to where ever you want to sit or carry it across the sand. You won't be able to wheel it on the sand. If you have very little ones it's useful for doubling as acot for naps. It's no good if the beach you are going to doesn't have proper paths.

I bought ours 10 years ago for a festival and when using for the beach got lots of engagement on where I had got itfrom and now they are a very common sight. I'm surprised I hadn't sent them used for the beach before really.