DIY Wooden Farm & ATV Wagon
Step-by-step guide made from Indy Farm Life's YouTube video.
Build a versatile 4x8 foot wooden wagon on a pre-fabricated steel running gear kit. This project results in a sturdy, all-purpose trailer perfect for hauling tools, materials, or supplies around a farm or large property.
- Difficulty: beginner
- Finished size: 4 ft x 8 ft bed
Must know before you build
- Use a carpenter square to precisely align front wheels for proper steering and towing.
- Simple box design lacks axial rotation; expect frame stress on highly uneven terrain.
- Frequent pavement use may cause simple steering mechanism to lose alignment over time.
- Secure 4x6 main beams to running gear with 3-inch x 5/16-inch lag screws for critical strength.
- Always use pressure-treated lumber for all wood components to ensure outdoor durability.
- Running gear supports custom bed lengths up to 8 feet; plan your ideal size before cutting.
Tools
- Wrench Set (ratchet and open-end wrench set)
- Carpenter Square
- Cordless Drill/Driver (cordless drill driver, DEWALT)
- Tape Measure
- Chalk Line (marking tool)
- Miter Saw (power saw)
Materials
- Wagon Running Gear Kit (1, steel chassis kit, Northern Tool, 2200 lb capacity)
- Pressure-Treated Lumber (2, dimensional lumber, 4x6x8 ft)
- Pressure-Treated Lumber (dimensional lumber, 2x6)
- Pressure-Treated Lumber (dimensional lumber, 2x4)
- Lag Screws (3-inch x 5/16-inch)
- Deck Screws
Step by step
Step 1: Assemble the Running Gear
Unbox and assemble the running gear kit, including the frame, axles, and wheels. This section is shown as a time-lapse.
- Lay Out and Assemble Frame. Unpack all the components of the running gear kit and lay them out on the floor. Begin assembling the main frame components according to the instructions.
- Attach Axles and Wheels. Attach the front and rear axle assemblies to the main frame. Mount the four wheels onto the axles and secure them.
Step 2: Align the Steering
Use a carpenter's square to ensure the front wheels are parallel and adjust the steering linkage for proper towing.
- Check Wheel Alignment. With the tongue straight, use a carpenter's square against the frame to visually check if both front wheels are parallel to each other. Note any misalignment.
- Tip: Use a carpenter's square against the frame to get a true reference for checking if the wheels are parallel.
- Adjust the Steering Linkage. Loosen the nuts on the steering linkage (tie rod) and turn the center section to lengthen or shorten it. Continue adjusting until both front wheels are perfectly parallel when the tongue is straight.
- Common mistake: Forgetting to check alignment can lead to poor towing performance and uneven tire wear.
Step 3: Attach the Main Support Beams
Position the 4x6 wooden support beams on the metal frame and secure them using the provided brackets and lag screws.
- Position the Support Beams. Lay the two 4x6x8' pressure-treated beams longitudinally on top of the metal running gear frame.
- Secure Beams with Brackets. Use the included metal brackets to attach the wooden beams to the frame. Position the brackets and drive lag screws through the brackets into the beams to secure them.
- Tip: Instead of recessing the mounting plates into the wood (which can cause tire rub), simply mount the beams on top and slightly to the inside of the plates for maximum clearance.
Step 4: Install the Decking
Cut the 2x6 pressure-treated boards to length, lay them out to form the deck, snap chalk lines, and fasten them to the support beams with screws.
- Cut and Dry-Fit Deck Boards. Cut your 2x6 deck boards to the desired width of the wagon (in this case, 4 feet). Lay them across the support beams to check the fit and ensure they are square.
- Tip: Try to select boards with minimal knots for a stronger and cleaner-looking deck surface.
- Mark Screw Lines. Measure in from the edges of the deck and use a chalk line to snap straight guidelines down the length of the deck, centered over the main support beams below.
- Fasten the Deck Boards. Using a drill/driver, fasten the deck boards to the 4x6 support beams with deck screws. Place two screws per board at each beam, following your chalk lines.
- Tip: Butt wet pressure-treated boards tightly against each other during installation. They will shrink as they dry, creating the necessary drainage gaps automatically.
- Tip: Keep your two screws close together in a single row over the center of the beam rather than spreading them wide apart, even though the beam is a 4x6.
Step 5: Build and Attach the Sides
The creator details the construction of the wagon's sides, which were built off-camera. They consist of a 2x4 base, two 2x6 planks, and vertical 2x6 supports.
- Construct the Side Walls. Place a 2x4 underneath the overhanging ends of the 2x6 deck boards and screw down through the deck to pin them together. Then stack a 2x6 board on top of the deck and toe-screw it in from the sides. Set a second 2x6 on top (held in place by vertical 2x6 supports, not screwed down directly). Secure the assembly with vertical 2x6 supports screwed in from the outside, spaced along the length. Repeat for all sides as desired.
- Tip: Using vertical supports on the outside of the box is a simple and strong way to tie the side planks together.
- Watch out: Be careful when towing on tight loops. The leading vehicle can easily out-turn the wagon, which may cause the tongue to pinch against the wagon body and damage the linkage.