Getting back on the wagon with Radio Flyer.
Written: May 13 '03 (Updated May 21 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very easy assembly, cleans easily
Cons: front wheels don't swivel
The Bottom Line: The wagon looks good, cleans well, and hopefully will hold up to the pressures of holding our grandchildren for fun rides in the yard.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Radio Flyer Discovery Wagon |
For Mothers Day my wife wanted a new wagon. She likes to have it for pulling our grandchildren around the yard.
COMPARISON SHOPPING
Doing things the usual way I waited till one day before to make a purchase. She mentioned Little Tykes brand to me. I went and checked it out. I also saw the Radio Flyer 2600 Discovery Wagon. Little Tykes was thirty dollars less on sale at fifty dollars, it had wider but hollow wheels and it had wheels that swiveled in the front. The swivel looked like a great option for making short radius turns but I just didn't like how the rods were put together. I was afraid that with extra added weight it wouldn't hold. The rest of the wagon was pretty much the same except for some cup holders and a storage area. More about that later. So I purchased the Radio Flyer.
I should also note here that we have had metal and wood wagons too. They just haven't stood up to the constant use and weathering.
ASSEMBLY
I purchased the wagon the day before Mothers Day. I didn't want to get into a difficult chore of assembly. Toys R Us would have assembled it for a price but not in time for the next day.
I looked at the outside of the box. It stated that all I needed for assembly was a hammer. I decided to do it my self. Hey, this guy can fix anything with a hammer. It took about ten minutes, if that.
I took the unit out of the box and checked the contents against the directions sheet. The rest was easy. You have to put spacers on the axles, put the tire on, proper side out, and then hammer on the holding caps. Do this four times and then add two caps on the handle rod and you are done!!
THE WAGON
The wagon is completely molded plastic except for the rods and pins holding it together. Two rods act as axles and one pin for holding the handle to the wagon. There is one other pin that holds the swivel section together under the wagon. It is already assembled.
Being Radio Flyer brand the wagon is red with a white bottom. The handle is black as are the tires on white rims. These are their traditional colours.
The wagon is lightweight at 35 pounds and the wheels move easily. The wheels are hard rubber, no flats or loud noise rolling on hard surfaces. No collapsing hollow plastic tires either. The wheels are 8 1/2" high and 1 1/2' wide. They are a little smaller than I would have liked but seem to be up to the task of holding the grandchildren for rides across the lawn.
The inside section of the wagon is a nice size at approximate two foot by three foot. This wagon is advertised by Radio Flyer as being the largest capacity plastic wagon on the market.
The actual outside dimensions are 44"x22"x23" It has four sided sections that form into the base. They are about eight inches high in the front and slopes up to about twelve inches in the rear. The front and back go in first. They will stay in place only if at least one side panel is put in. You can have the wagon with just three sides up. The front, back, or either side. I wouldn't pull the kids around this way, but, if the wagon is being used for some light yard work like putting trays of plants in them it would work fine.
There are two cup holders molded into one of the sides. They are open in that they will hold the cup, juice pack or can securely but it can easily be cleaned and will drain.
The sides are rounded so there are no uncomfortable corners for the kiddies riding inside.
The wagon can be used without the sides at all using it as a flatbed. Again this is for perhaps plant flats.
Inside the flatbed section is a storage compartment. Open the flap and you will see the area that can hold twelves cans with ice. I thought this pretty cool. There is a hole on the bottom that will drain the water from melting ice. My wife may keep her gardening gloves and spade there.
The handle grip of the wagon is wide allowing even the biggest of hands to pull comfortably. It was made wide and rounded so that two kids could pull at one time. The handle is also long. This makes for easier pulling too.
CARE
Being it is all molded plastic it washes down easily. The wagon, being lightweight and well balanced, can easily be stood up on side for quick draining after cleaning. There is a drainage hole under the flap in the can storage area so you don't even have to stand it up. If it's out in the rain the water will just find its way down to the bottom. You won't have puddles inside the wagon to deal with.
The handle lays flat against the flatbed for easy storage. The sides could be stored separately.
IN CLOSING
My wife was very happy when she saw the wagon. That day she had our two grandchildren in it for a test ride. It passed with Radio Fying colours!!
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Radio Flyer Wagon
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The Polar Express A book for adult children
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 79
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
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