Hey guys I want to buy a wagon running gear (I'll build the box). I'm in Texas and don't have the selection that you guys up north with large Amish communities have. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Richard

Pioneer out of Ohio has all sizes of running gear and types of wheels.

If you can find a pickup that has a straight front axle, you can make a good wagon out of it. Just add a tongue that pulls off the front axle. Heat the drag ling arm and straighten itt to the front of the tire. Cut the drag link to fit between the arm and the tongue.

If you are wanting a rubber tired wagon an old running gear from a farm wagon will usually work. You will have to make your own brakes if you want them.

MY ADVICE IS WHATEVER YOU DECIDE ON, MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE BRAKES. YOU WILL BE GLAD ONCE YOU HAVE AND USE THEM.

You didn't specify traditional high wheel or auto steer farm wa con. Everyone has an opinion and mine from actual experience is that the only time brakes are of any value is if you have a loaded wagon. Any single can pull an empty wagon with the brakes locked on. I have a halflinger pony that can. Like I said everybody has an opinion but I don't think they are worth the trouble to maintain or the expense to put on. Just my own experience.

My point on brakes is they are a big help on hills when trail driving (helping to hold back going down and holding wagon going up if you have to stop in line of a lot of wagons) plus when stopped they are a help in keeping the wagon from rolling back and forth if the team does not want to stand perfectly still. So there are more advantages to brakes that not having them. Sure, I know most teams can pull a empty wagon and that was not the point for brakes I was making.

I feel front brakes (along with the back) are a necessity.

Richard Lowe, I too live in Texas. Sulphur Springs. I have several running gears. 2 I have rebuilt for horse drawn and 2 others could be rebuilt pretty easy. I don't have brakes on mine. It would be nice to have them if they were free but I don't have big loads going up and down hills. And I have trained my teams to hold the loads. Look for old cotton wagons, that is what most of mine are. Don't spend big buck for a Pioneer are something else from up north. call if you need help 903-348-1971

I just made this decision. I chose a pioneer gear with yours truly building the box. Happy with the choice. But in my area, a decent used gear goes for quite a bit.

With regards to brakes, I have found brakes to be useful mostly for holding the wagon still while passengers embark/disembark and - as someone else mentioned - for holding the wagon on steep grades when you are in a line of wagons (wagon train situation) and don't have the option of turning sideways on the grade. I was also able to "save" my team quite a bit on the wagon train over the course of the days by not making the team hold the whole load back when descending steep hills.

It all depends. If you are doing chores, I wouldn't be without my 3 wheeled wagon. Rides I would have something different. It all depends on the use.

I had brakes on one wagon. Good for teaching whoe if you have a big load on, worthless without a big load. Never seen a hill that a team couldn't out run a load on. Might be scary for some but it is no big deal if everyone survives.

No big deal, but a bit of a hassle if you have to go back and pick up your kitchen kit one piece at a time off of the hillside!