My beach trips just got a major upgrade! Imagine easily cruising down a sandy beach, all your gear perfectly organised in a custom-built electric beach trolley. I had been dreaming of this for a few years, so I began creating an electric beach trolley packed with convenient features for beach visits and fishing.
Why an Electric Beach Trolley
Beach trips are fun, but they often come with the challenge of lugging heavy gear across the sand. An electric beach trolley can revolutionise your beach experience by making transportation effortless. Whether you’re a beachgoer or a fishing enthusiast, this trolley is designed to meet your needs. Say goodbye to the struggle of carrying heavy coolers, tents, and fishing equipment and hello to a smoother, more enjoyable beach day. I know, I know this particular beach cart will be considered by many as overkill!
The Power Behind the Trolley
At the heart of this trolley is a 48v 2,000w brushless motor powered by four 60ah lithium batteries in series. This combination provides the necessary torque and longevity to handle sandy terrains. The chain drive delivers reliable power transmission, although I am considering dual rear wheels to allow the trolley to glide effortlessly over the sand. This powerful setup ensures I can transport all my gear without sweat.
Advanced Control Features
The trolley has various control features to ensure safe and customisable trolleying (is there such a word). It includes an ignition, forward-reverse switch, three-speed settings, a throttle, and a brake lever on the steering arm. The single-disc brake provides efficient stopping power, ensuring safety even on uneven terrains. These controls make it easy to maneuver the trolley, whether I’m cruising along the beach or navigating to the beach through dunes.
Battery Management and Monitoring
Battery management is crucial for the efficiency of the electric beach trolley. The drive batteries are monitored by a Bluetooth Victron Smart Shunt battery monitor, allowing me to keep track of battery health and charge levels. This ensures I’m never caught off guard with a dead battery, providing peace of mind during my beach adventures.
Comfort and Convenience with a Fold-Out Roof-Top Tent
One of the standout features of this trolley is the 1.2m wide fold-out roof-top tent mounted on the right-side bin. I had a rooftop tent mounted on my camper trailer some years ago. However, this unconventional setup provides a comfortable and shaded area to relax after a long day of beach activities. The fold-out design makes it easy to set up and pack away, offering a perfect blend of convenience and comfort.
Refrigeration and Power Supply
The rear bin houses a 62L dual-zone refrigerator, perfect for keeping food and drinks cool throughout the day and on extended trips. Paired with a 2kW gasoline generator and a 200w foldable solar panel, this setup always ensures a reliable power source. Whether storing freshly caught fish (I’m always hopeful) or chilling beverages, this refrigeration has covered it.
Cooking on the Go
The left-hand front bin contains a 3-burner gas stove integrated into a slide-out kitchen. This feature allows me to cook up a storm or reheat meals on the beach. The kitchen also includes a 1.2m x 400mm bench extending from the stove, providing ample space for meal preparation. Whether grilling freshly caught fish or preparing a beachside BBQ, the portable kitchen setup is practical and efficient.
Additional Storage
The trolley is designed with multiple storage solutions to keep gear organized. The left-hand top bin features slide-out storage for deck chairs, ensuring I always have a comfortable place to sit. The front bin includes an electric portaloo with a standalone privacy tent, adding a touch of luxury to the beach trip and ensuring everything we carry in we carry out! These storage options make it easy to carry everything needed without cluttering the trolley.
Power Management System
The front bin includes a 48v lithium charger, a 12v lithium charger, a 500w inverter, 240v power sockets, a motor controller, wiring, fuses, and isolator switches to manage all the electronic components. This comprehensive power management system ensures that all our devices are charged and ready. Whether we need to charge a phone, power cooking equipment, or run the refrigerator, this system caters for all.
Considering Dual Wheels for Stability
Given the electric beach trolley’s overall weight, dual wheels might be necessary for added stability. Dual wheels will distribute the weight more evenly, making maneuvering the trolley on soft sand easier. This feature ensures the trolley remains stable and easy to handle, even when fully loaded with gear. I will post updates from time to time and see how it goes.
Bringing The Vision to Life
One of the best aspects of building your electric beach trolley is the ability to customise it to your specific needs. Whether you need extra storage, additional power sources, or unique features like a fold-out tent, you can tailor the trolley to suit your preferences. This customisation ensures the trolley meets all your requirements, making each beach trip more enjoyable.
Building an electric beach trolley might seem daunting, but the end result is well worth the effort. I began the build in February 2024 and completed it by September of the same year. It has been a fun project, and the combination of convenience, efficiency, and functionality makes it all worthwhile.
Some Videos
Check this one minute video of the finished product