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TMWheelpacker |
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The wheel is mounted with a quick-disconnect axle for quick and easy removal for transport. It has twin coil spring ball-joint suspension for smoothing out the trail bumps. The tire is air-free for no flats, no pumps, and no repairs.
Wheelpacker is easy to hook up. None of the muscle straining gymnastics associated with putting on a backpack are required. Just back into the unit on its support stands, squat down about four inches, put on the shoulder straps and waist belt, straighten up, stow the stands and take off. The user interface is adjustable, designed to custom fit to you, and is woman friendly.
How far have I come since that last trail sign? How far is it to camp? What time is it? I wonder what my average speed is? Just stop, turn around and look. Wheelpackers are equipped with a multi-function computer that can be set to read out just about anything you need.
The rainproof payload container is virtually indestructible linear polyethylene. It holds and protects all the camping gear you need and some of the things you want and keeps it all out of the weather. If it goes in DRY it stays DRY! No need to bring boots and gear into the tent at night. Keep everything you don’t need outside and dry in the container. The large snap-latch lid is hinged at the rear for easy access to the contents. If you need extra room a sleeping bag can be carried on top in its own molded saddle.
Wheelpacker is designed to roll over almost all normal trail obstructions. Blowdowns, roots, rocks or anything else that is safe to walk or step over usually presents no more of a problem than a momentary slowdown.
The Wheelpacker easily adjusts to the user’s height through the use of a hand clamp and stop collar.
The support stands not only solidly support Wheelpacker when not in use, they provide the handles to "wheelbarrow" the unit in camp or around difficult trail obstacles. Simply pivot the user interface out of the way over the container and roll Wheelpacker as needed.
Brakes are standard equipment. They are linear pull V-type and are very effective. They open wide so the wheel can easily be put on or taken off. The user applies the brake with a hand lever that can be mounted on a hiking pole. It can be stowed on the user interface when not needed. The lever includes a parking brake for use when the unit is parked on an incline. The cable to the lever is detachable at the front of the container to facilitate disassembly and transport.
Wheelpacker is easier on your body. With a 35 pound payload there is only about 19 pounds vertical load on you. Compare that to the other way. To get an idea of how much easier it is to be a wheelpacker, consider these comparisons with the same 35 pound payload.
- CLIMBING: Imagine a backpacker carrying 40 pounds (the payload and the pack) on his back and the wheelpacker carrying 19 pounds and pulling an average kid’s bicycle. Going uphill it's pretty close to the same total effort but here is where the similarity ends. - LEVEL GROUND: The two hikers have climbed the hill and are now on top. Nothing has changed except the grade. Bicycles are very easy to roll on level ground but the backpacker still has 40 pounds on his back. - DOWNHILL: All hikers know that this is the killer for backpacking. The person carrying 40 pounds uses his legs and feet to hold back against gravity at every step. The wheelpacker is simply walking carrying 19 pounds. He is using the unit’s brakes to hold the load and himself back against gravity and his legs are under little additional strain. The bottom line is with Wheelpacker you will do a lot less work than backpacking with the same load. Stooped over with loads on your back, you become very familiar with your hiking boots. Wheelpacker users can see the scenery instead.
A wheelpacker’s back is essentially uncovered and stays DRY! You veterans of the trail will really appreciate this.
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