This classic style wagon has been around for ages: I can remember 40 years ago careening down steep neighborhood streets, buddy in back, turning too fast, tipping out, and coming home to Mom with bloody knees…ahhh, the good old days!
The classic – a great name for a wagon that has withstood the test of time. I still see them everywhere; the local garden nursery hauling bark and 20 gallon shrubs to the car, the swap meets and flea markets, the kids in the neighborhood selling their wares door to door. It’s an American icon to say the least. Now let’s get down to brass tacks…
What we like about the Radio Flyer Classic Wagon:
- Metal Bed: The steel pan comes powder coated (baked on paint) and the edges are folded back so it’s child-safe. No rough or sharp edges here. If you keep it out of the rain, you’ll be handing this down to your grandkids someday.
- Solid Rubber Tires: They’ll last a lifetime too if you keep the rust away (WD-40 occasionally works great). It’s a bit rough to ride in but hey they’re kids, they can take the bumps. These wheels are great for pavement but not for wet grass, sand or rocky gravel.
What we don’t like about this wagon:
- Low Sides: The metal pan is bullet-proof but if you’re hauling kids, be careful that they don’t fall out the back. The Radio Flyer Big Red Classic has higher sides but even still, I’d go with the All Terrain Cargo if this is a concern.
- Turning Mechanism: It’s the same old issue that keeps band-aids flying off the shelves. When are they going to change it to an anti-tipping turning system like your automobile?
For less than $100 this wagon is well worth it. You’ll surely see a return on investment in the smiles of the kids letting their imaginations run wild. And unlike those plastic wagons that don’t seem to make it past a few years, the Radio Flyer Classic Wagon will be around for your next generation!
Don’t forget your shade: Wagon Canopy, Clip Umbrella, and another Shade Umbrella.
Happy Trails.