Favorite firewood tote

[Ashful]

I'm speaking of the canvas, leather, or other fabric totes... so you folks with milk crates and plastic bins can find your own thread.

What's your favorite carrier, and why? What features do you love or hate? Tis the season, and I'm hunting for a replacement for the one I've worn out over the last three years.

Me? I haul more than a half cord per week thru the house, at least 6+ trips per day to fill my two stoves, so my primary interest is durability. That usually means handles that wrap all the way around the tote, rather than the leather handles just riveted to the edges of the fabric, although this one did last me a good few seasons. I also prefer heavy leather straps on a heavy canvas totee, but finding leather full-wrap straps on a tote is rare.

I'm tired of the mess that tends to drop out of the ends of my simple single-panel tote, so I'm starting to look at some of those that look more like a bag with ends, such as this. I'm a little concerned about length, though, since I buck to 20" - 21".

 

[Rossco]

I kinda like the Condar Tuffduck bags but they are 3 times the price o the linked bag.

I recon I could fill my moderate rack in the basement with only 3 runs if I had two.

 

[BrotherBart]

I'm speaking of the canvas, leather, or other fabric totes... so you folks with milk crates and plastic bins can find your own thread.

My pack mule is leather so...

 

[Ashful]

I kinda like the Condar Tuffduck bags but they are 3 times the price o the linked bag.

Price is no issue... if it's worth the higher cost.

 

[Rossco]

Price is no issue... if it's worth the higher cost.

Yeah quality don't cost it pays.

22" x 12" x 12" and 'Made in the USA' if that means anything these days.

(broken link removed to http://www.condarcanada.com/index.php?id_product=95&controller=product&id_lang=1)

Probably 1/2 price in the states.

I use to use a Very large IKEA bag until it failed.

 

[Ashful]

Looks nice, but I have several issues with that one:

1. Far too small... I need to carry at least 2.1 cu.ft. of wood into the house at least 6x per day.
2. Polyester.
3. Handles sewn to top edge, not strapped all the way around.

If you say it's high quality, I'd believe you and try it, but the small 12" x 12" cross section makes it a no-go!

edit: Actually, I guess you could stack wood above the seam of the tote, and get a decent amount in there, depending on the length of the handles. That's what I do with my current unit.

 

[Rossco]

Looks nice, but I have several issues with that one:

1. Far too small... I need to carry at least 2.1 cu.ft. of wood into the house at least 6x per day.
2. Polyester.
3. Handles sewn to top edge, not strapped all the way around.

If you say it's high quality, I'd believe you and try it, but the small 12" x 12" cross section makes it a no-go!

Yeah I don't know about the quality. Iam not inclined to pay $70 for a pair just yet.

It's a suggestion thou.

 

[Ashful]

Shows as only $35 when I pull it up! Why you need two? I use one for my two stoves... all the firewood is coming from a single location, even tho it's going to stoves in two different locations.

 

[Rossco]

Shows as only $35 when I pull it up! Why you need two? I use one for my two stoves... all the firewood is coming from a single location, even tho it's going to stoves in two different locations.

One in each hand.

The IKEA bag was awesome. Sometimes IDE have to straddle it and limp it in.

 

[Ashful]

Well, I just bought one. The largest one I could find that's a simple strap of fabric, not a bag. After thinking about the way I bring in wood and load the stoves, I like being able to lay the thing out flat, and pick splits off the bottom of the load. Having them in a bag would just drive me nuts, I think. Here's the one I got:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00525ZNOG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I don't anticipate using the shoulder strap.

 

[Rossco]

Well, I just bought one. The largest one I could find that's a simple strap of fabric, not a bag. After thinking about the way I bring in wood and load the stoves, I like being able to lay the thing out flat, and pick splits off the bottom of the load. Having them in a bag would just drive me nuts, I think. Here's the one I got:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00525ZNOG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I don't anticipate using the shoulder strap.

Good for you. If I buy the condar bags we can have a showdown I guess.

The 22 x 12 x 12 should allow me to stack and stand pieces up.

 

[paul bunion]

Two is definetly the way to go. It balance the forces on your spine. You can load them a little lighter but still carry more wood with less effort and less wear and tear on your back.

 

[Ashful]

I agree, Paul. Trouble is I need to navigate thru about 200 feet of old house with some narrow but very deep door passages, to get at one of my stoves. I just know I'd be banging up the paint on our woodwork, if I were carrying a satchel in each hand. With one, I turn it lengthwise to get thru the passage between the 1773 and 1894 additions.

 

[mass_burner]

I have the big tuff duck and it is tough. My issue is that it really doesn't stand open when loading as advertised. I also keep one of those cable click type holders on one handle, when full close it and carry it by the clamp. I also use in summer for beach toting.

 

[firefighterjake]

Had a canvas carrier I purchased years ago at Lowes . . . it finally reached the point late last year that I thought about replacing it.

Bought the "log carrier" from LL Bean . . . figured I would return it if I didn't like it . . . or if it wore out prematurely . . . have used it a few times and I already like it better since it has ends that hold more of the bark, debris, etc. inside the bag.

 

[BrotherBart]

I bought three of these years ago and I think the only way I could wrecke'm would be to set them on fire. I have used just one of them most of the time.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/6958223

 

[Jags]

I had one just like that Bro. Didn't care for it because I needed to make two runs to load the stove once. Nothing wrong with it - just a little shy of capacity. Finally gave it to a friend that has a bit smaller stove. It came with a stand if I remember correctly.

Now I am a tote (plastic) user - so no comment about that.

 

[Halligan]

I use the LL Bean log carrier like FFJake. I like it and it's constructed well.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42721?feat=510044-GN1&page=dura-tough-standing-log-carrier

 

[Ashful]

B'Bart's is cheap enough that I'll just grab one next time I'm at WalMart. Then I can compare it to the larger one (open ends) that I bought off Amazon. I also load up at least 6 - 7 large splits each time out to the pile, so a tote with larger capacity is in my interest. I'm loading two 3.0 cu.ft. stoves, 3x per day.

 

[macattack_ga]

GI parachute bag works well for chunks.
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=1127

 

[jeffesonm]

I have been beating the hell out of an Ikea bag for a few years now and it refuses to die.

 

[Ashful]

I have been beating the hell out of an Ikea bag for a few years now and it refuses to die.

I carry six loads per day up an old wood flight of stairs, and thru my den (originally the kitchen of the old house) with hand-planed pine floors dating to 1773. Three of those loads per day then get carried farther thru the house, over another 150 feet of old pine and oak floors. This ain't carpet or tile I can easily replace... failure is NOT an option.

 

[Scols]

Had a canvas carrier I purchased years ago at Lowes . . . it finally reached the point late last year that I thought about replacing it.

Bought the "log carrier" from LL Bean . . . figured I would return it if I didn't like it . . . or if it wore out prematurely . . . have used it a few times and I already like it better since it has ends that hold more of the bark, debris, etc. inside the bag.

I have the same bag and it has held up very well over the fours years I've had it. And the ends have made my wife happy with less debris to spill out.

 

[jotul?]

If you have Amish in your area, or any harness and tack shop, you can get one made to your specs. from canvas and leather. Cheaper than store bought if you measure the life of the product. I have one that I use like an in house wheelbarrow for projects indoors.

 

[jeffesonm]

I carry six loads per day up an old wood flight of stairs, and thru my den (originally the kitchen of the old house) with hand-planed pine floors dating to 1773. Three of those loads per day then get carried farther thru the house, over another 150 feet of old pine and oak floors. This ain't carpet or tile I can easily replace... failure is NOT an option.

I hear you... my entire house is waxed wood floors, and while they're only 60 years old, I'm equally attached to them. I have had this blue Ikea tote overflowing with so much firewood I strain to carry it with both hands, and I am an able bodied young guy. I'm talking logs with pointy corners pressing into the bottom/sides, handles looking like they should pull off the bag, etc.... it's really pretty impressive. It's cheap, and it's not pretty, but dammit it's sturdy.