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These days, many manufacturers sell wheel kits that can be attached to popular cooler brands to make them a breeze to tote from place to place. To install wheels on your cooler, first decide which type you'd prefer—a single axle system or wagon-style flatbed cart. The former can be attached to the cooler's tie down slots in a matter of seconds, while the latter supports the cooler from underneath, and can be with fastened with straps for added security.

  1. 1

    Weave the strap through the bracket of the wheel base. Guide the long strap included with the wheel kit through one of the holes on the front side of the bracket, then out through the adjacent hole. Pull the strap until both ends are aligned and stretch it out to its full length.

    • Make sure there are no twists, folds, or snags in the strap.

  2. 2

    Thread the strap through the cam buckle. You'll find the small metal or plastic buckle at the far end of the long strap. Feed the loose end of the strap into the top of the buckle, then around and out the bottom. Give it a quick tug to check that it's secure. If it's not, it may accidentally slip out while you're pulling the cooler.

    • Most cam buckles can be released with the press of a button. This will make it easy to quickly remove the attachable wheel system as needed.

  3. 3

    Set the cooler on top of the long strap. The cooler should be situated between the wheel base on one side and the handle piece on the other. Slide the cooler until it sits flush against the wheel bracket. Adjust the positioning of the bracket to center it as much as possible.

    • Arrange the wheel base so that the bracket is lying flat against the ground beneath the wheels.
    • There should be 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) between the bottom of the cooler and wheel axle.

  4. 4

    Pull the strap down through the integrated tie down slot. Insert the loose end of the strap from the outside. Once the strap is looped around the tie down slot, pull it down sharply to cinch it and bring it closer to the axle.[1]

    • The straps on some wheel kits may feature a separate tie down insert piece. These can simply be fitted through the tie down slot so there's no need to thread the strap itself.

  5. 5

    Attach the handle piece. Press the handle bracket up into the molded edge of the cooler on the underside of the opposite tie down slot to fit it into place. Feed the clip or carabiner cord down through the slot, then connect it to the looped end of the long strap emerging from the bottom of the cooler.[2]

    • On coolers with rope handles, it may be necessary to pull down on the knots in order to create enough slack to make room for the handle cord.
    • You might also be able to attach the clip to the cooler itself, if your model features built-in straps.

  1. 1

    Set the cooler on the cart. Make sure the cooler is sitting flat and is properly centered on the bed. The edges of the cooler should line up with the lip of the bed, with no gaps or overlap. You may need to ask someone to help you lift the cooler if it's already full.

    • Many flatbed carts are sturdy enough to support up to 400 pounds (180 kg), which means you can load up your most spacious cooler without worrying about how to transport it.
    • If you're working with a more compact cooler, position it so that it sits closer to the handle side of the cart to make it easier to pull.

  2. 2

    Extend the bed to accommodate larger coolers. Some newer carts feature configurable beds that are designed to hold objects up to 38 inches (97 cm) in size. When you need a little extra room, simply pinch the clips at the appropriate stop and pull the two halves of the wheel base apart until they're the desired length. This will make it possible to haul iceboxes of all shapes and sizes.[3]

    • Avoid loading your cart with a cooler that's bigger than the maximum dimensions of the wheel base.

  3. 3

    Install end rails to keep the cooler from shifting. If your flatbed cart came with detachable end rails or gates, you can put them in place by inserting the bottom pegs into the corresponding holes on either end of the bed. When you're ready to unload the cooler, removing the rails is as easy as sliding them back out.[4]

    • Some carts even come with hitching units for linking multiple carts, which may be useful if you're bringing along several coolers for a camping trip or week long music festival.

  4. 4

    Strap the cooler down for added security. The simplest way to do this is to feed a strap or bungee cord underneath the bed, then pull both ends together at the top of the cooler. If the straps you're working with are particularly long, you may need to wrap them around more than once in order to hold the cooler in place.

    • If you really want to make sure your cooler doesn't budge, consider using a pair of straps or cords.
    • Ratchet straps can come in handy for locking down large coolers, as they can be tightened little by little until there's no slack remaining.

  1. 1

    Pry out the stock axle. Set the cooler on its end so that the wheels are pointing up towards you. Hold the cooler steady with one hand and pull up on the old axle from beneath with the other. It should pop right out with enough force.[5]

    • Brace yourself against the body of the cooler with one knee to give yourself more leverage.
    • Single axle all-terrain wheel systems are an easy way to upgrade older plastic coolers that already came equipped with wheels.

  2. 2

    Remove the wheel from one end of the new axle. Use the included hex wrench to loosen the screw connecting the wheel to the axle. Slide the wheel off and set it aside. If there's a separate washer or bushing alongside the wheel, be sure to remove it as well.[6]

    • Be careful not to lose the small screw while you're taking off the wheel.

  3. 3

    Slide the axle into the groove on the underside of the cooler. Line up the end of the axle with the opening on one side of the cooler and guide it through. Jiggle the axle to make sure it doesn't move around too freely inside the groove. If it does, it may be time to throw the cooler out and buy a new one.[7]

    • All-terrain wheel conversion kits are most often designed to fit coolers with a capacity of at least 60 gallons (230 L).

  4. 4

    Put the new wheel back on the axle. Fit the washer or bushing over the end of the axle, then slide the wheel on and tighten the screw holding it in place. You'll now be able to haul your cooler over asphalt, grass, sand, gravel, or whatever surface stands between you and adventure.[8]

    • The wider diameter of the all-terrain wheels will cause your cooler to sit a little higher when propped up, making it easier to pull.

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  • Both attachable single axle wheel systems and flatbed cards are compatible with most popular cooler brands, including Yeti, Igloo, and Pelican.

  • Ballooning rubber wheels are best suited for traversing sand and other loose, shifting surfaces.

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Things You'll Need

  • Attachable single axle cooler wheel system
  • Flatbed cart
  • All-terrain cooler wheel conversion kit
  • Hex wrench
  • Ratchet straps or bungee cords (optional)

References

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