I will add my voice to those recommending the Frontier(as I have here, many times!) For a 'starter', and a cart for everyday, and for training(the EE aspect is a plus there!), I don't feel you can beat them. I have been driving since '85, sold the first Frontier just because I wanted a different color choice...THAT one is still in regular service--and the one I bought to replace it, which has a TAN seat(would be better in the hot sun, I believe) and seat back, w/ black 'edges' AND piping(I never liked the white piping; just seemed too 'glaring' a contrast.. )--is now approx. 11-13? years old, and could be mistaken as virtually new; it only has some 'paint rubbed off' areas on the shafts, and very minor dings.
Genuine Frontiers are reasonably light in weight for their type (about 80-85 lbs.),tough, servicable, have a sliding seat, so can be balanced for nearly any load--and IMO, offer the best overall value for time of use of any I have seen.(There is good reason why you seldom see a used FRONTIER brand advertised for sale; they sell by word of mouth too quickly!) Of course, you can get better carts, but you will pay CONSIDERABLY more.
I do recommend keeping ANY cart under roof(but not necessarily under plastic, as moisture can build up under it in humid climates, and do as much damage as outright exposure to the weather-when I was shopping for my first 'official' wooden cart, I was shown, at a discount, a brand new mini Meadowbrook, which had been covered w/ a blue 'plastic' tarp in storage---the varnish was RUINED, and the vehicle needed COMPLETE stripping, sanding and refinishing--and it'd never been hooked!), and away from the effects of the weather; everything about it will last MUCH longer when properly cared for and protected.
I personally like the metal shafts better than wood. The Frontiers are of a hollow tubing and hold up well, but would likely not be the choice for higher-level hazard/marathon work--but they are a 'separate entity', and replacements are simple to obtain. The 'best' I've seen is on the mini-horse Bennington, which has 'fat', but lightweight, alum. shafts, which have a full 'cover' of a flexible black 'vinyl-ish' substance. Even if one were to break, this flexible cover should prevent jagged metal edges from being immediately exposed.
I have three other carts(two wheeled vehicles)-all of which cost three to five times what the Frontier cost...and though I love them ALL, and each has its benefits, I have NO plans to part with my 'trusty' Frontier.
BTW--I have NO connection w/ Frontier, just know a good product of its kind when I've used it!
Margo
Genuine Frontiers are reasonably light in weight for their type (about 80-85 lbs.),tough, servicable, have a sliding seat, so can be balanced for nearly any load--and IMO, offer the best overall value for time of use of any I have seen.(There is good reason why you seldom see a used FRONTIER brand advertised for sale; they sell by word of mouth too quickly!) Of course, you can get better carts, but you will pay CONSIDERABLY more.
I do recommend keeping ANY cart under roof(but not necessarily under plastic, as moisture can build up under it in humid climates, and do as much damage as outright exposure to the weather-when I was shopping for my first 'official' wooden cart, I was shown, at a discount, a brand new mini Meadowbrook, which had been covered w/ a blue 'plastic' tarp in storage---the varnish was RUINED, and the vehicle needed COMPLETE stripping, sanding and refinishing--and it'd never been hooked!), and away from the effects of the weather; everything about it will last MUCH longer when properly cared for and protected.
I personally like the metal shafts better than wood. The Frontiers are of a hollow tubing and hold up well, but would likely not be the choice for higher-level hazard/marathon work--but they are a 'separate entity', and replacements are simple to obtain. The 'best' I've seen is on the mini-horse Bennington, which has 'fat', but lightweight, alum. shafts, which have a full 'cover' of a flexible black 'vinyl-ish' substance. Even if one were to break, this flexible cover should prevent jagged metal edges from being immediately exposed.
I have three other carts(two wheeled vehicles)-all of which cost three to five times what the Frontier cost...and though I love them ALL, and each has its benefits, I have NO plans to part with my 'trusty' Frontier.
BTW--I have NO connection w/ Frontier, just know a good product of its kind when I've used it!
Margo
