Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Tow Home Trolley

Hook it up and drive off
  (+9, -2)
(+9, -2)
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This shopping trolley is slightly sturdier than your usual trolley, with big thick wheels.
Once you've finished your big shop, you simply attatch it to the back of your car (using a special attatchment that is trapped under the boot lid for those without tow bars), and drive home towing you shopping behind you.
When you are done, simply drive back to the shop to return the trolley and reclaim your (presumably quite big) deposit.
Some kind of retractable cover will prevent your shopping blowing away, and a large dry wipe board on the back will allow you to personalise it with your number plate.
Not much use, I know, for a loaf of bread and some loo roll, but would be handy if you bought alot more than your boot could hold (in my case 2 loaves of bread is pushing it in the back of a mini!) or if you shop somewhere like IKEA or Costco.
MikeOliver, Jan 23 2006

Just a thought. http://www.harborfr...af?itemnumber=34313
[half, Jan 25 2006]

[link]






       Hmmm. Yes.
wagster, Jan 23 2006
  

       When I worked in a retail store there would always be some schmuck who bought a big ticket item like a swing set or a jungle gym and he happened to be driving a 2 seater sports car. Apparently it didnt occur to them that the box would be about as big as the item itself so having the option to put a deposit on a trailer (or a "trolley" as the author put it) to take it home. I remember some 25 years ago when the Hechinger company (equivalent to Home Depot or Lowes) actually loaned out trailers to customers who needed to take home large items or large quantities.
Jscotty, Jan 23 2006
  

       Don't really see the similarities between this idea and either of those links...
In fact, the second one is just a little bizzare!
MikeOliver, Jan 23 2006
  

       This isn't just a trailer, it's lightweight and you can push it round the shops to put your shopping in... just like a shopping trolley.
And the link about the ice cream van does not show that this idea is baked, it's completely different.
MikeOliver, Jan 25 2006
  

       Once it's full of stuff, it will be heavy enough... if not, i have no objections to adding sand for ballast.
MikeOliver, Jan 25 2006
  

       It would not have to be that sturdy. Look at some of the lightweight motorcycle trailers out there.   

       Also the "take home trolley" would not have to be the same as the "roll around the store" buggy. During the paying and bagging process everything comes out of the buggy anyway, so loading it into a different, slightly sturdier, trailer would do the trick.
Galbinus_Caeli, Jan 25 2006
  

       Yes. Great, you did it. I hate the 10 trips from car to house with all the poorly bagged groceries (kids these days...).   

       Screw the road legality. Get the laws changed to include an exemption, the cart is narrow and short (front to back, ie opposite of long), so it won't obscure most lights (sorry about your mini, whoever that was) and the only thing you'll need is some wheelbarrow pneumatic wheels for the rear. The front will be off the ground. Heavy shmeavy. As long as the load is well tarped in, it ain't going anywhere. Not recommended for eggs.
oxen crossing, Jan 29 2006
  

       Great idea, I also like the fact that if this really had to take off, it would (in general) reduce the amount of boot space required in a car -- lowering production costs and making more space for other things. :)
danman, May 26 2009
  

       I recently thought about a system similar to that used for ambulance stretchers; the wheels fold up as the trolley is pushed into the car. Cars could have a standard trolley bay to take a standard trolley.
spidermother, May 26 2009
  
      
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