# Retrofitting a Baby Stroller to a Shopping Cart
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 21, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142 "2017-05-21T14:19:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/1 "2017-05-21T14:19:12Z")
I found an excellent baby stroller (it looks very much like [this one](http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/Newellsync/14650)), and I would like to take the baby parts out and retrofit it into a bad-ass shopping cart. It is one sweet ride - big, smooth-riding wheels, a nice high handle so I’m not stooped over, cupholders, sunglass compartment - it’s got it all! My question to all y’alls is, has anyone ever done this, and/or does anyone who is better at mechanical engineering than I am have any suggestions for how to go about doing this?
---
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/2 "2017-05-21T17:46:59Z")
Are you thinking of carrying sacks from the store to your house?
A piece of heavy canvas would be ideal for enclosing the front of the carriage. Try to get green canvas. That will match the green on the carriage.
Make it long enough to arch out (a foot) from the front of the carriage. Similar to that baby tray.
Remove the tray. Fit the canvas in place. Slip the edges under the upholstery where it attaches to the handles. Puncture the canvas and tighten the screws well.
It’s not going to look all that great. But it will hold a few sacks of groceries.
---
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/3 "2017-05-21T17:55:49Z")
You might even be able to remove the top from carriage. Flip it upside down and create a enclosure for the groceries.
But buying a piece of stiff canvas will be easier.
The goal is to enclose the front so the sacks don’t fall out on your trip home.
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/4 "2017-05-22T14:06:41Z")
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Are you thinking of carrying sacks from the store to your house?
Yup, that’s the goal - just stroll my groceries all the way home.
> [@](#):
>
> A piece of heavy canvas would be ideal for enclosing the front of the carriage. Try to get green canvas. That will match the green on the carriage.
>
> Make it long enough to arch out (a foot) from the front of the carriage. Similar to that baby tray.
>
> Remove the tray. Fit the canvas in place. Slip the edges under the upholstery where it attaches to the handles. Puncture the canvas and tighten the screws well.
>
> It’s not going to look all that great. But it will hold a few sacks of groceries.
Hmm, interesting. I had been thinking of something with more structure, but canvas would probably do the trick, and involve a whole lot less work.
---
### Author:  [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/5 "2017-05-22T17:38:19Z")
I’d remove the padding and straps and then think hooks, eyelets and those oversized [carabiners](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LF16F8/ref=asc_df_B004LF16F84995795/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B004LF16F8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167156258077&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16563044088427142605&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033793&hvtargid=pla-312057598058). Let your existing bags do the work.
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2017, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/6 "2017-05-23T05:12:21Z")
> [@sitchensis](#):
>
> I’d remove the padding and straps and then think hooks, eyelets and those oversized [carabiners](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LF16F8/ref=asc_df_B004LF16F84995795/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B004LF16F8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167156258077&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16563044088427142605&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033793&hvtargid=pla-312057598058). Let your existing bags do the work.
Another interesting idea.
---
### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/7 "2017-05-23T14:31:25Z")
The pic is of the typical baby stroller that has the small flimsy wheels that get caught in any small cracks in a sidewalk. If you must MacGyver something out of a baby stroller, far better to get something like a jogging stroller with the big 8" or 12" wheels.
Baby strollers are designed to carry things that weigh 8-20 pounds including all their paraphernalia. How much weight in groceries are you looking at carrying? It’s pretty easy to end up with 50 lbs of groc. Which will overstress the chassis and also be hard on your jury-rigged container / pouch/ whatever you call it.
Amazon sells 30,000 varieties of shopping cart. Surely one of those will be a better fit than the kludge you’re trying to make.
---
### Author:  [@busterpickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busterpickle)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/8 "2017-05-23T15:26:38Z")
IKEA has [these large shopping bags with handles that hang within their shopping carts](https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1121/527779897_423a6d7d57_o.jpg). That’s why they have a variety of a shopping cart that has no basket. So, that’s the route I would go. Then you can just use that bag to collect and carry in to the kitchen.
I also like your idea. When our guy is too big for the stroller I’ll try a conversion such as your own. We have two supermarkets within a mile either way.
---
### Author:  [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/9 "2017-05-23T16:17:17Z")
Alternatively, look for a [metal](https://www.antiquefarmhouse.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/o/home-decor-accents-6-11-12_14_.jpg) or [plastic](http://www.linhuicontainer.com/photo/pl1048904-all_kinds_of_plastic_basket_are_available.jpg) basket that will fit between the legs. You could run one or two wood or metal slats fore and aft (it appears they could rest on the existing side-to-side braces) to support it. Installation may not require more than some screws and straps, some of which could be [tie wraps](https://www.cse-distributors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/natural-cable-ties-l.jpg).
---
### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/10 "2017-05-23T17:44:13Z")
For transporting stuff from my Jeep to pontoon boat, I use [a collapsible wagon similar to this one.](https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Style-Folding-Beach-garden/dp/B01MDVMMSB/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1495561335&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=boat+dock+wagon)
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/11 "2017-05-25T23:57:23Z")
Thanks to you guys, (thanks, guys!), I have completed the project and while it isn’t the most elegant thing out there, it works excellently for the price (stroller and basket found free in a back alley).
[Pictures here.](http://imgur.com/a/p02HA)
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/12 "2017-05-25T23:58:53Z")
**electronbee** , it was pretty easy to do - a screwdriver, some wedges, some pliers, and the will to rip things off of your stroller was all that was required. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [May 26, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/13 "2017-05-26T00:34:37Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#):
>
> Thanks to you guys, (thanks, guys!), I have completed the project and while it isn’t the most elegant thing out there, it works excellently for the price (stroller and basket found free in a back alley).
>
> [Pictures here.](http://imgur.com/a/p02HA)
Can’t beat free. Damn fine MacGyverin’ there.
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 26, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrofitting-a-baby-stroller-to-a-shopping-cart/787142/14 "2017-05-26T04:18:46Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Can’t beat free. Damn fine MacGyverin’ there.
Thenk you. 🙂