What is a Sandhopper Electric Wagon and how is it operated?
The Sandhopper is a self-propelled Electric wagon. Power is supplied by simply holding the controller in your hand and pressing the thumb throttle, while walking in front of the wagon steering and controlling its speed and direction. The Electric motor will automatically provide the braking as you release the throttle, and for extremely steep inclines and extra breaking simply utilize the hand brake that applies braking to the axle via a caliper and rotor set up. The Sandhopper Electric Wagon handles deep loose sand and steep inclines with ease, and will provide you with approximately 4 miles of range with the standard 22 AMP HR. battery (more range can be achieved with an upgrade to 35 or 55 AMP HR batteries). It is capable of holding hundreds of pounds of gear. The weight limit is dependent upon the size and style of tires you choose. We offer 12″ and 16″ Wheeleez beach tires (which are unmatched and are a must for the sand) and turf tires for all other terrains. The wagon is equipped with a smart controller which is programmable and allows you variable speed control (High/Low) so your beach wagon will follow you at your desired pace. With our standard battery gauge meter, you’ll always know how much charge is left. Recharging is a breeze, simply plug the provided charger into the charging port on the front of the wagon and plug the charger into a standard 110volt wall outlet. In the unfortunate event you were to experience a loss of electrical power (dead batteries/electrical malfunction, etc.) you will still be able to move your wagon. Simply turn the power off, via the key switch, and the wagon will “free-wheel” which means you pull it just like a non motorized wagon. Additionally you may add a more powerful 160 AMP controller and heavier duty wiring for trans versing steeper inclines and transporting larger/heavier loads.
Who uses the Sandhopper ?
Beach goers, fishermen, surfers, stand up paddle boarders, kayakers, hunters, maintenance personnel, softball/baseball/football/soccer teams, basically anyone who utilizes a wagon/cart or dolly to transport stuff. Surf and pier fishermen enjoy the ability to carry all their gear from pier to pier and also have the maneuverability to negotiate deep sand beaches to access remote areas away from the crowds. Surfers, standup paddle boarders, and kayakers love the ability to effortlessly transport all their boards and gear to the water. Hunters utilize the wagon to carry all their gear and remove large game from remote locations that can’t be easily accessed by all terrain vehicles. Maintenance personnel utilize the wagon to haul tools,replacement parts, construction equipment,etc. Event planners, restaurant/bar employees utilize the wagon to transport large amounts of food,drinks, and ice. This is a multipurpose wagon and the list of uses are endless. Plus, it is more environmentally friendly, as it doesn’t burn fuel and leaves no exhaust scent like gas powered ATV’s, and will not be restricted in areas where gas powered vehicles are prohibited.
Is it durable enough to withstand the unrelenting elements associated with beach use?
Great pride is taken in insuring the durability of these wagons. To handle the unrelenting elements of the beach while keeping weight to a minimum, the Sandhopper was constructed of aluminum and stainless steel side rails, and covered in a powder coated finish. We use Nickel Plated nuts and bolts for added corrosion resistance and the .080 gauge aluminum deck is very durable, while remaining light weight. Your Sandhopper wagon will easily stand up to many years of use while keeping your beach trips fun and hassle free. We are very proud to say these wagons are built in the USA! 🇺🇸
Is my Sandhopper Electric Wagon safe?
The Sandhopper Electric Wagon utilizes technology from the Mobility Industry – makers of scooters and carts for the elderly and disabled, so you know it has to be safe! You control the speed and direction of the wagon. Additional safety features include: keyed switch (comes with two keys) with automatic shutdown of power to the controller when the key is unintentionally left on for an extended period without use, saving battery power but more importantly ensuring no one can inadvertently use the wagon just by walking up and touching the controls. Braking is activated by an electric motor brake as you release the thumb throttle and extra braking is achieved with the hand brake that activates the disc brake system (which can be locked into place for use as an emergency brake).
Size options:
We have several different size options available. Sizes/measurements are based on the deck portion of the wagon. These four wagons have proven to be the most popular. Our smallest wagon is the 20″ x 40″. Don’t let its small stature fool you though, because this wagon is big on power. With optional accessories this wagon will carry lots of gear. While this wagon is our smallest, it has all the technology and same size motor as the larger wagons.
The most popular wagon is the 24″ x 48″. Use it to easily carry a 10′ x 10′ pop up tent (which can weight upwards of 50 pounds), cooler, beach chairs, boogie boards, bocce ball, corn hole boards, etc. With the optional Surf Rack system you can easily haul surfboards, stand up paddle-boards or kayaks, in addition to all your gear inside the wagon.
The next size in our line-up is the 30″ x 48″. It takes up the same amount of storage space as the 24″ x 48″ wagon because the widest point on the wagon is the width of the wheels. So, the 30″ x 48″ model gives you 6 extra inches of deck space for extra carrying capacity while keeping the same overall width as the 2 smaller wagons.
The 30″ x 54″ only takes up 6 extra inches in length over the 30′ x 48″ and the width remains the same. This wagon is also the same overall width of the smallest wagon (20″ x 40″) because the overall width is at the wheels, but it’s 14″ longer, which gives you tons of room to haul all your gear.
Warranty information:
The Sandhopper is covered by a six month manufacturer’s warranty with the exception of the battery and tires which each carry their own separate warranties from the manufacturer.
Standard Features and Specifications
Colors
Standard color is brown “sand” for all model sizes. We also offer upgraded colors (optional colors: red, blue & black or custom colors). See pricing list for price of upgraded colors.
Railings
Every wagon comes with a single style railing (vertical pieces are a natural finish and horizontal pieces are black powder coat). The single style stands 10″ from the deck. Substitute a double railing that stands 17″ from the deck for additional security of your cargo. Or purchase the Surf Rack accessory capable of carrying multiple surfboards or a SUP. This system stands a total of 30″ above the deck.
Battery
All models come with a 22Ah battery standard. An optional 35Ah battery or 55Ah battery provides greater range when ascending hills and carrying larger loads for greater distances.
Controller
The standard controller for all wagons is a 90 AMP smart controller. If you plan to haul heavier loads or travel over more rugged terrain, including sand dunes or steep inclines, order the optional 160 AMP controller.
Tires
Standard tires for all the various size wagons are the 15″ tubeless turf tires. These are not recommended for the sand however. Optional tires include the Wheeleez® 30cm (12″) balloon tire and the larger 42cm (16″) Wheeleez® tires. The benefit of the largest tires is a greater load capacity. See photos under accessories.
Standard Specifications
The wagon’s widest point for decks up to 34″ wide, is the distance between the Wheeleez wheels at the axle which measures 34″ wide, assuming the wagon is utilizing the larger 16″ Wheeleez tires. If you have the smaller 12″ Wheeleez tires, the width is 32 1/2″. For carts with decks wider than 34″, the deck width becomes the total width of the cart. Total length for the 20″ x 40″ is 46″ and 30″ high when the steering controller is folded back against the deck as far as it will go (assuming the font gate has been removed). The low clearance helps the wagon fit into the rear cargo area of some SUV’s or minivans! For the 24″ x 48″ the length is 56″ and 33″ high with the steering controller folded back against the deck as far as it will go. This assumes the larger 16″ Wheeleez tires. The height would be about 30″ with the smaller 12″ Wheeleez tires. For the 30″ x 54″, the length is 62″ and 44″ high with the steering controller folded back against the deck as far as it will go. This assumes the larger 16″ Wheeleez. Weight: 20″ x 40″ is 110 pounds, the 24″ x 48″ is 125 pounds and the 30″ x 54″ is 130 pounds.
Things to consider prior to purchasing a Sandhopper wagon:
How do I transport my wagon to the beach? There’s several solutions to this dilemma. We happen to offer a unique trailer hitch carrying system that allows you to attach the wagon to the trailer hitch system already attached to most vehicles. And to make things even easier we installed a hand crank winch that will allow you to effortlessly lift the wagon off the ground and into a locked position. It doesn’t get much easier. Of course there’s other options available, like hauling it in the bed of a truck, inside an SUV or van, on a trailer, or on a carry all attached to the rear of your vehicle.
What are my available options to access the beach?
You will want to make sure there’s an access to the beach other than stairs. You also need to consider the width of any ramps with side rails that are used for beach access to ensure the wagon will fit down the ramp. In a worst case scenario, most all beaches have city/county access points that are normally wide enough to drive vehicles through. With your electric powered wagon, walking to one of those access points will be no problem.
Are there any laws/ordinances that may prohibit it from the beach?
Check with your city or town to see if there are any ordinances that may apply. Keep in mind these are electric powered, not gas, which may allow them in areas that have a prohibition specifically on gas powered vehicles.
What are the advantages to a wagon over a Golf Cart? Unless vehicles are allowed on the beach, a golf cart will have to stop at the edge of he sand, and then you will have to carry all your gear across the beach. Street legal golf carts start at close to $8,000 new. If parking is an issue where you go to the beach, you’ll still need a small parking place for your golf cart. Once you find a parking space, you will still have to carry all your gear to the beach. The Sandhopper Electric Wagon is not only less expensive than a golf cart, but more importantly it can transport your gear right to the water’s edge.
Lodging/beach property (condos, hotels etc.) If you access the beach from a condo,hotel, etc., make sure to check the width of doors, gates, elevators and beach access ramps. Depending on the wheels you select and / or deck size, your Sandhopper Wagon may or may not fit. We can perform some slight modifications to the bearings and with the appropriate tire size we can accommodate pretty much any door/gate. We also factor in the length to accommodate the elevators. See the section under FAQ labeled “standard specifications” for all the measurements and weights you may need to consider. Also feel free to contact us directly with any questions/concerns in this area. Over the years, we have had to address pretty much all foreseeable circumstances in this area.