Build a cheap Car Seat Roller for Use at the Airport

Build a rolling frame for a car seat so it can be rolled around the airport.

It costs less then $15 using some PVC pipe, and a thrift store suitcase. It looks and performs professionally. It's  light weight with telescoping handle and nice roller wheels. It only takes an evening to hack together with simple tools. This really does make zipping though the airport with a small child in tow much-much easier.

Going on the airplane can be a pain. Stroller, car seat, diaper bag, a bag with snacks and toys. So much stuff! The car seat is especially bad because it's an awkward size to just lug around. I've often found myself dashing from terminal to terminal with one balanced on my head, or jabbing me in the side as we try to make the next flight.

With this simple frame, you can not only haul the car seat along as easily as a wheeled suitcase, you can also do it with your child strapped into it. Thus getting rid of the need for a stroller entirely. If you're actually taking the seat on the plane (instead of gate checking it in the case where the kiddo is going as a "Lap Child") you can even roll it down the isle of the plane. There's also the added benefit that the child is strapped in during much of the process, and at least my kids seem to love zipping around in the thing.

What's more our happy band gets lots of looks in the airport and people ask "where'd you get that?" and I get to say "I made it!"

Step 1: Tools and Materials

The thing that makes this project SO simple to make is the availability of used luggage with wheels and telescoping handles. It's easy to go to the thrift store and find a bag that's a bit past it's prime but still has working wheels/handle. Maybe you already have one collecting dust in a closet some place.

Tools:
Drill  (with 1/4" and 3/32" bits)
Hacksaw
Hand File (optional)
Scissors
Utility Knife

Materials:
1 Used suit case with wheels & telescoping handle
1 2' length 3/4" thick walled PVC (Easy to get at the hardware store)
1 4" 1/4-20 carriage bolt
1 1/4-20 wing nut.
2 Zip ties
some black gaffers tape (optional)

Comments

[cslead]

absolute genius!!

[kurt.schaefer]

Oh, I'm glad you liked it. That roller has been such a great thing to use. I had sort of hoped this would get Featured when I put it out, but maybe if you've never used a rig like this you don't realize what a vast improvement it is over lugging a car seat around.

[metalman1138]

Brilliant idea, and great instructable!

[kurt.schaefer]

Thanks! Taking the photos is always the hardest part of making the Instructable. I wrote this thing up a year ago, but the photos I'd taken of the rig in action were very bad. It wasn't until this most recent trip that I managed to get some good ones and finally post this thing.

[caitlinsdad]

Very nice. I have a heavy duty folding magna-cart that could also be hacked. Luckily, I no longer have a need. They grow up so fast. :(