Easy Entry Cart

[drivin*me*buggy]

We are in the market for a new easy entry cart that can hold up to Ash and Banner. I know there are some cheap brands that won't hold up-

Looking at Frontier, CTM (Ozark sells) and American Cart and Harness (Their cart is green and tan)...What's the scoop-opinions on the best of the best here?

My cart is a Frontier and after 7 yrs is still going strong- but was curious about the other brands and peoples experiences.

Angie

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My only experience is with my Jerald runabout. I've been using it for 7 years. It sees heavy use and I've never had a single complaint. I've ordered a new floorboard once (my horse ran away without me in the cart and crashed the cart into a pile of rocks. The only damaged part was one floorboard got cracked). Every part on it can be replaced, if necessary.

I also have a Jerald sulky that is about 20+ years old. It was used for racing in Florida. It is still going strong, and I use it constantly.

 

[susanne]

I would recommend either CTM or Frontier. I own a CTM, and comparing it side by side with the Frontier, my only complaint about the CTM was the wheel hub width. They have now gone with the wider hub, so that complaint is no longer valid. Both companies offer top notch product and service, yet their prices are as good as or better than any other EE carts.

CTM offers all cart parts separately, including a lift kit that is great for taller B minis. They only offer the standard maroon/white/black seat, whereas Frontier offers more choices in color, including a solid black.

CTM is sold both direct and through Ozark and Star Lake. Frontier is sold direct and through Prime Design. Last year, Ozark had a big sale on the EE carts right around the time of AMHR Nationals -- right after I had purchased mine, LOL...

 

[garyo]

I love our Alpine Manufacturing Cart. Their mini cart is really more appropriate for B size minis. It has great ride and we have pretty much baja'd through our back pasture with it with no ill results. Double Diamond sells them.

 

[GeorgeandHumble]

I have the CTM cart and love it. I find it to be balanced, sturdy and very comfortable.

 

[Kawgirl]

I've been using the green and tan cart from American cart and harness for about five years. It's very sturdy and rides great. And it's very pretty. Looks great with a tan harness.

 

[Minimor]

We have the CTM Mini cart w/54" shafts and are very happy with it. It does have the wider hubs--actually someone, a former Frontier dealer, was here the other day & when he looked at our EE cart he thought it was a Frontier. He pointed out that the American Cart & Harness cart has smaller hubs & he didn't feel those are sturdy enough--something I hadn't noticed when I was comparing various carts.

Anyway, we are pleased enough with our CTM Mini cart that we're now ordering the same cart in pony size for our Shetlands.

I think the CTM carts are on sale just now at Ozark and I'm told that if anyone wants to take delivery of one of these at Nationals they have to pre-order, by August 15th...same thing applies to pony carts, so that is why I'm mailing off my pony cart order tomorrow!

I really like the look of the EE cart that Double Diamond sells, the ones with the natural wood shafts and basket. I was all set to order one of those in pony size, but then wasn't sure if I liked a couple things--the wood shafts (I've always preferred metal) the fold back springs under the seat and the fact that the seat isn't movable, so there's no adjustment for balance. After looking and looking and looking some more at these things we decided to go with another CTM cart.

 

[georgiegirl]

I love our Alpine Manufacturing Cart. Their mini cart is really more appropriate for B size minis. It has great ride and we have pretty much baja'd through our back pasture with it with no ill results. Double Diamond sells them.

I have an Alpine cart also. It is so nice and comfortable. The workmanship is great. It is a classy looking cart with the wood and wooden shafts.

My every day run about is a Heinz 57 that was found, by another person, at an auction in pieces. Not knowing much, I purchased it for a very reasonable price. By the time we bought or had milled the missing pieces, my $100 cart turned into several hundred dollars. It has been used a lot and is durable, however. Who knows what the brand is.

I think if I were to purchase another everyday cart it would be a CTM. My friend bought one and my husband put it together for her. I am impressed with the quality.