Best Folding Wagon For Hauling Camping Gear Around

Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Dean Anderson

The fold-up wagon is a perennial favorite among regular car campers. If you are a newcomer, it might not be something you may have used before or an obvious purchase.

Folding wagons are indispensable for carrying heavy gear across all kinds of terrain. Not only are they useful for transporting your camping gear – they can also help you carry pets or kids. Given this fact, it’s important that when you are looking for the best folding wagon for your next camping trip, you need to focus on the most important aspects of its design such as sturdy construction and quality of materials.

On to the reviews

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular folding wagons on the market. We’ve taken five of the best selling wagons in the country and put them through their paces. So, read on to find out more and discover the results.

1. Coleman Camp Wagon – Very good value and worth a look

Coleman Camp Wagon – Sizes & Capacities

Compartment Size	34″ x 16″ x 13″
Weight Limit	150lbs
Cart Weight	22lbs
Folded Dimensions	NA

The Coleman Camp Wagon is a mid-priced model that is highly popular with the camping and outdoor activity communities. It has a range of excellent features, including a robust polyester bin and swivel frame for use on rugged terrain, and a telescoping handle for easy handling.

Great Nimble Steering On This Folding Utility Wagon

There are also swivel-front wheels to ensure your wagon doesn’t get stuck in uneven surfaces, and it is constructed in an accordion-style design so you can fold up and carry when not in use.

The Coleman Camp Wagon is an excellent little product that is easy to set up, great to look at, and offers a smooth ride across even the toughest of surfaces. It’s a little bigger than the average folding wagon, so could come in handy when it comes to pulling lots of camping gear – and when your kids get tired walking back from the beach.

A Heavy Duty Wagon That’s Just A Bit Too Weighty

However, the frame is actually a lot heavier than you might expect from a highly portable wagon. Once you load up your camping gear, pets, or even your children, you will need a reasonable amount of strength to get over even smooth terrain, let alone the rugged landscapes you find on camping trips. And, it’s also important to point out that the cover can get very tight, very quickly. Still, it’s sturdy, well-made, and at a good price point which will attract those on a budget.

Pros

• Ample storage
• Attractive design
• Good value
• Durable

Cons

• Large design means storage when not in use difficulty
• Tight closing mechanism
• Heavy
• Not good for the beach

Conclusion

The Coleman Camp Wagon is a great little product – if you have space for storage and can handle the reasonable weight. While camping enthusiasts will enjoy the rugged nature of the equipment, its size, and weight might be an issue. That said, for a multi-functional folding wagon that you can use in everyday life as well as on camping trips, it’s reasonable value and worth a look.

2. TimberRidge Folding Camping Wagon – Good quality fold up wagon let down by the short arm

TimberRidge Folding Camping Wagon – Sizes & Capacities

Compartment Size	35.5″ x 18.4″ x 12″
Weight Limit	150lbs on hard surface 110lbs on sand/beach
Cart Weight	24.9lbs
Folded Dimensions	30″ x 16.6″ x 8″

TimberRidge’s offering takes things up a level for the serious camping enthusiast. It’s a bit of a beast, with big dimensions in all directions and a gorgeous steel frame that screams durability. Pride of place, however, are the 8-inch diameter wheels – the front two of which are rotatable. Finally, the TimberRIdge can be folded up to the size of a carry bag when not in use.

A Heavy Duty Wagon Cart That Folds Up Nicely

So, what’s the news about this little folding wagon from TimberRidge? Well, first and foremost, it’s a large, durable affair that you can pack a lot of stuff into. And once you fold it down, it takes up very little space, so ideal for transporting in the car before your camping trip.

Next, let’s get stuck into these impressive wheels. As you can imagine, you can rocket around at speed on hard, flat surfaces, but the 8-inch wheels are also good enough to handle the tougher terrain. You can get through sand, too, although in reality, it is always going to be tough when the beach surface is deep and soft.

If you do plan on taking it to a beach regularly with soft sand, consider getting different wheels -there are inflatable alternatives that will work much better than the standard, plastic-molded set.

Handle Could Be Too Short If You’re Tall

Another issue is the length of the handle. Despite the fact the wagon is big and spacious, if you are an averagely tall person or bigger, it’s likely you are going to have to stoop when you are transporting your camping gear. We’ve got to say that in comparison to the Coleman, it’s disappointing, especially since the TimberRidge is a lot more expensive at full price.

Pros

• Durable frame
• Impressive space
• Excellent portability

Cons

• Not quite as good on rough terrain as we would expect
• Terribly short arms are disappointing

Conclusion

Overall, the TimberRidge wagon is a good, solid folding wagon that will do the job for anyone of below-average height. But the small arm is a game-changer and is likely to make this option a no-go for anyone who is of reasonable height.

3. Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible All Terrain Utility Wagon – Some minor quibbles but overall the best folding wagon on test

Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Wagon – Sizes & Capacities

Compartment Size	36″ x 21″ x 24″
Weight Limit	150lbs
Cart Weight	22lbs
Folded Dimensions	31.48″ x 21.4″ x 9.64″

Finally, let’s take a look at the Mac Sports All Terrain Utility Wagon. Features include a super durable frame, tough fabric, and compact folding. There’s an adjustable handle, too, and it’s also worth noting that the Mac Sports Wagon has a pair of drinks holders located by the handle. But how does it stack up? Let’s take a look.

A Truly All Terrain Collapsible Wagon For Hauling Gear

The Mac Sports Folding Utility Wagon is an impressive piece of kit. The fabric covering and metal frame are incredibly durable, and perfect for those long treks while on a camping trip. You can pull up to 100 pounds of cargo with relative ease across all kinds of surfaces, and it should be a while before you start to see any signs of wear and tear at all.

Beyond the central holding area, one feature really stands out – the wheels. They are lovely and wide, which prevents you from getting stuck in ruts, or clogged in soft sand.

A Learning Curve Involved In Steering The Cart

However, one thing about the Mac Sports option is that there is something of a learning curve involved. We managed to tip over the wagon a few times when we were first getting started with it, and to be honest it was a bit of a worry. The good news is that if you persist and get to know the cart, it will reward you.

Another issue is that the wagon has a slight habit of tipping when carrying heavy loads – and you will also experience this when you stack your gear up over a couple of feet of the top of the wagon. It’s an annoying issue in an otherwise exemplary piece of kit.

Superb folding mechanism

That said, the Mac Sports utility wagon folds up exceptionally well, and it’s a remarkable feat given the sheer size of the wheels – it really benefits from the unique design of the front wheels which allows you to slot everything into place once folded.

See how easy it is to fold and unfold the Mac Sports via the central pull mechanism in the brief video below.

Finally, the addition of two cup holders is a fantastic one, particularly if you have ever experienced that extreme thirst you can sometimes get while dragging your gear from car to site or on a long hike.

Pros

• Durable design
• Brilliant steering (once you’ve got the knack)
• Great folding mechanism
• Folds up smaller than the competition
• Built-in carrying handle and cup holders
• Large 10″ wheel design makes it perfect for the beach
• Telescopic pull handle

Cons

• Slight tipping issue
• The learning curve with steering

Conclusion

While the learning curve for using is steep and the tipping issue is something to look out for, the reality is that the Mac Sports is an excellent wagon and offers exceptional value. It’s durable, versatile, and can get you over all kinds of terrain. The large 10″ wheels make it particularly suitable for the beach, they don’t dig into the sand like the other models here.

This particular model even makes it to our recommended gift list for campers. Just make sure that you keep your loads around the recommended weight mark, and put heavier gear lower down, or you might end up tipping your gear everywhere.

4. Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon – Fine for lighter duties and anything but the beach

Mac Sports Outdoor Utility Wagon – Sizes & Capacities

Compartment Size	35.5″ x 20.2″ x 22.5″
Weight Limit	150lbs
Cart Weight	22.5lbs
Folded Dimensions	29.5″ x 20″ x 8″

After the plaudits we’ve just given the Heavy Duty version of the Mac Sports Wagon this less industrial looking model has a lot to live up to.

Like the previous wagon, this is also easy to set up and fold away thanks to the tried and tested center-pull mechanism. The frame is also very similar in terms of construction, which is why it probably has the same 150lb maximum load rating.

The obvious difference between the two is the wheels. The hard rubber wheels on this model are much slimmer and smaller. This makes the wagon more suited to garden work, hauling fishing gear, shunting groceries around and on more even paths and trails. Indeed the wagon rolls smoothly and the front pivoting wheels operate freely.

The updated handle makes for more responsive steering

It’s worth noting that the extending handle on the slightly newer model only pivots up and down, not left and right. This means the wheels do all the steering and the wagon is actually more responsive in our opinion.

Small slim wheels mean it’s not great on the beach

However, like the Coleman offering, this is never going to work well on loose sand. This is not the model you want for regular days at the beach. The narrow wheels simply dig right in, especially with heavier loads. You might get away with it on wetter more compact sand, and with lighter loads but that’s it.

Upright storage almost impossible

One last little bugbear of this and other models is the inability to lock the wheels. Not for braking purposes but so that you can store in the included carry case standing up. The freewheeling wheels mean that upright folded storage is almost impossible.

Pros

• Easy to fold and unfold
• Durable frame construction
• Telescopic non-pivoting handle makes steering responsive
• Value for money
• Bottle holders on front
• Rolls smoothly
• Lots of color choices

Cons

• Not good on sand
• Can’t remove fabric
• Won’t stand up when folded
• 150lb load rating seems high

Conclusion

Overall there’s a lot to like about the Mac Sports – the price is far more competitive than the heavy-duty version. So if you’re not planning on using it at the beach or for anything too taxing then it’s worth serious consideration.

Don’t expect to pay less for a wagon and then regularly use it for hauling heavy camping gear, wet laundry or your weekly groceries around. It’s a durable product but it has its limitations. The claimed 150lb maximum load seems like a bit of an exaggeration to us. Stay under the 100lb mark and keep the load height low and you’ll be fine.

5. Sekey Heavy Duty Folding Wagon – Well built and good on all terrain but the handle lets it down

Sekey Folding Wagon – Sizes & Capacities

Compartment Size	34.64″Lx20.86″Wx10.23″H
Weight Limit	265lbs
Cart Weight	22.1lbs
Folded Dimensions	30.7″ x 22″ x 7″

Our 5^th product on test comes from reputable camping gear manufacturer Sekey.

The Sekey Heavy Duty Wagon looks similar in design to the Mac Sports offering with its oversized wheel configuration.

Ongoing improvements

Recent improvements to the model include upgraded bearings and a huge weight capacity of 265lb. That’s the highest on the test.

The setup of the wagon is simple. You only need to add the fabric liner, that is easily attached with Velcro straps. This also makes removal for cleaning easy.

Robust construction

At 23lbs the Sekey is in the same territory as the other folding wagons on the test. You get the feeling that if it weighed less it just wouldn’t have the robustness it offers.

With the cart rammed full of camping gear we can put it to test.

Those improved bearings really do seem to help the wagon pull smoothly. Although the large wheels obviously increase friction.

Performs well on rough terrain

On the sidewalk, the wheels are a little noisy and you’d be better off with the standard slimmer wheel option for their efficiency. However, for campers who will largely be negotiating grass and rougher terrains the Sekey performs well. The PU wheels are just rubbery enough to soak up the rough.

These are also the best type of wheels if you’re going on the beach, however, no folding wagon is going to work well on loose dry sand. Like the Mac Sports, the Sekey works well on damp or compacted sand.

Front wheels can catch under load

The more you load up the wagon the harder it is to pull and steer on rough or loose terrain. We feel that the 265lb rating is a little ambitious. Fill your wagon with half this and you have something that’s easy to handle. Under too much load the front 2 wheels of the wagon also catch each other.

The extendable handle while long enough is just a little flimsy. We like the fact that it doesn’t drop all the way to the floor if you let go but in comparison to the rest of the wagons build it doesn’t seem as good quality.

The handle latch isn’t great

When the wagon is full the latch on the handle doesn’t stop the handle from fully extending. That’s fine if you’re reasonably tall but if you’re shorter the handle will still extend and make steering awkward.

Pros

• Nicely built folding wagon
• Great quality canvas lining
• Smooth-rolling oversized wheels

Cons

• Handle not up to the standard of the rest of the wagon
• Front 2 wheels can catch each other under load
• Wheels need aligning when you fold the wagon up
• Some reports of dodgy welds

Conclusion

Overall, we like the Sekey wagon. Apart from the handle it’s built well and will last if you’re a careful owner. If you don’t overload it and distribute the contents evenly the wagon and the pivot steering perform fine especially on rough ground.

The double-layered polyester fabric is the best on review here. It will probably outlast the rest of the unit.

The Verdict: Which Collapsible Folding Wagon Would We Purchase?

So, who picks up the title for our favorite folding wagon? Without a doubt, that honor has to go to the Mac Sports All Terrain Utility Wagon. It’s an exceptional heavy duty folding cart that, despite its minor problems, is streets ahead of the other competitors. It’s reasonable value, too, and perfect for any camping enthusiast – and many others.

If it wasn’t for the handle on the Sekey product then the Mac Sports would be run closer for the top spot. Still there’s a lot to commend it and if you’re only using it for lighter loads then it’s worth considering.

The cheaper Mac Sports model will be just fine for lighter duties around the campground or at home. It’s not made for the beach though or for lugging heavier loads around despite the manufacturer’s claims.

The Coleman is a similar alternative to the standard Mac Sports model, sharing the slimmer wheel design. If you’re a fan of the brand then there’s a lot to like with the Coleman Folding Wagon thanks to its good value and portability.

Unfortunately for TimberRidge, the short handle issue on their wagon is just too much of an issue to recommend, although if you are of small stature, there is enough to enjoy.

Choosing the best folding wagon – The only buying guide you need

Ease of folding/unfolding

A collapsible folding wagon needs to be easy to set up and put back down again when not in use. Furthermore, what’s the size of the cart once folded down. Better models will be more compact and take up less space in the trunk of your car. Space is always at a premium on car camping trips.

Capacity and volume

You need to know that the foldable wagon you purchase has enough space for your intended use. Car camping or going to the beach are potentially gear heavy pastimes. A wagons storage compartment size can vary wildly in capacity with some models offering as little as 2.5 cubic feet volume and others offering up to 4.5 cubic feet. That’s a 45% difference in volume.

Quality of materials

If you’re taking your wagon to the beach then chances are you’ll only be dragging towels, sunscreen, and snacks. If you’re using it in the garden or to take shopping then you’ll need something that can take a bit of rough and tumble.

The material which forms the basis of the storage will need to be durable if coming into contact with tools and groceries.

Steering and stability

Some carts are easier to use than others. Three-wheeled models specifically might take some getting used to. If you’re using the wagon over rough terrain then a four-wheeled option might be better.

The height of the cart or the depth of the storage area will affect stability. So choose wisely based on your intended use. If the cargo is precious then a more stable, low to the floor cart will be the order of the day.

Wheel type

Your intended use should dictate the wheel type you choose.

Bigger wheels obviously mean more friction with the ground but also that they displace more surface area. So thinner wheels are going to be better for pulling on the sidewalk or around the mall. While larger, wider wheels are going to soak up the ground on rougher terrains and the beach.

What the wheels are made of will also dictate performance. If they’re a bit plasticky, they’ll be louder but also drag on some surfaces. Those with more rubber content will be quieter and grip more on uneven surfaces.