A story about a broken wagon wheel made me wonder, how often did wagon wheels break on the Oregon Trail? I can't find any information on how long they would last but, I have watched Engels Coach Shop on YouTube and it looks like it would be almost impossible to fix one of them unless you had a shop and did it every day.
I have some research materials on my shelf, or boxed up for a move in 2023. If you want better than a swag.
Prudent folks had at least one spare wheel on their wagon, often three or more, a spare axel, and spare tongue.
Several of the trading post/forts, as well as a couple of towns where folks waited until spring had one or more blacksmith and/or wainwright (wagon maker) and a cooper (barrel maker).
Scavenging from a wagon that broke down happened. Theft of household goods was uncommon, as it was presumed the rightful owners would come back for personal stuff in a wagon. Discarded items on the side of the trail were another matter.
I have read a couple of examples of converting a damaged wagon to a Cart (two wheels) typically such an ad hoc transport would cary less than half of the original wagon. I don't believe that was very common. It required carpentry (Wainwright) skills not that many had.
On the other hand, necessity sometimes resulted in creativity.
Some folks, Mormons in particular using carts to begin with.
For short distances people juryrigged a skid, or even used a log (downhill only for a log).
TIME was the primary concern. Pioneers had to cross the Mountains (Rockies and Sierras, to get to California), Rockies for Utah, and Rockies and Cascades for Oregon and Washington.
There was a real balance of how much provisions (food), and wagon parts, and water (usually 72 hours or less) could be carried. Then there were your tools, plow, and household goods...
Even as early as the 1840s there were lists of what a family of 4 or 5 should have. Flour, rice, lard, sugar, salt, dried apples, dried beans, coffee, tea, butter churn, "dutch" oven, cast iron skillet, even collecting "Buffalo Chips" (dried shit) in a tarp slung under the wagon.
Lots of folks failed to heed the necessities... Lots of folks died too, sometimes even well prepared ones.
A Wagon Train of 20 to 25 wagons with at least a Competent Wagon Master (who had led wagon trains before) and at least 1 skilled Scout (and hunter) would be of great benefit.
Larger wagon trains tend to be an impediment. Too long to get going in the morning, too long to circle in the evenings. Crossing rivers, ridges, etc. would take too long too.
Of course, having 16 to 25 wagons allowed for doubling teams for steep grades, and other teamwork. Some essential gear could be pooled. Costs of the Wagon Master, Scout, couple be spread out. It might be possible for several folks to go hunting for a day or three, to provide meat for all.
I also have several books about Cattle Drives, and Chuck Wagons. Some drives had equipment wagons, etc.
Thanks Paladin, that was more information than I found in hours of looking.
Catman aka Kinkywinks
I like and watch Engels Coach Shop as well and I tried finding the video where he shows and explains doing a fix on the trail.
Now where he makes the wheel and then measures the tire (the metal ring that goes around the outside of the wheel) cuts and welds it to size, the heats said tired to get it to expand so that when i cools it will fit tight and proper. Well on the trail they might not have been able to cut and weld the tire but the could fill the void between the wheel and the tire. They would do these trail fixes with windings of rope so that the wheel would fit the tire. I'm sure that if you watched enough episodes you might have heard Dave say "it might not be the best way to fix it but it will get you by"
I really wish I could have found the link because if memory serves they used pages of paper to fill in the void as a temp repair until he was able to do a proper repair.
The problems would be lack of tools to make the repairs. Axes, shovels, and some agricultural tools were sometimes carried. Once steel plows were developed, they would carry that, but not the rest of the plows (making, or purchasing the wooden frame at their destination).
Lack of skills is the most serious problem. Basic carpentry skills would often not be enough.
Most wagons in a wagon train are carrying too much weight.
It was much more likely to repair a wagon at a ranch or farm, because it could then be taken unloaded to where a wainwright or possibly a blacksmith could repair it.
On the plains it might be possible to get to a town or military post where there were skilled people with the tools. Once you crossed the Rockies it was highly unlikely.
If you had family or close friends it might be possible to "cross load" (place your essentials on their wagon(s). Then possibly limp a damaged or jerry-rigged wagon. Or leave furniture or other non-essentials on the damaged wagon and come back for it (sometimes a year or more later).
Spare wheels were the best option.
Repairs were done, but rarely to wheels.
Sadly, it was more common to abandon the wagon.
I should be able to find a list of suggested staples, and such for a family c.1866
I recommend the Book Frontiersmen in Blue about the US Army 1840-1890 (I might not have the exact dates).
For my own writing I have some sources on Chuck Wagons, in particular the first one developed by Charles Goodnight in 1866 (see Goodnight Loving Trail).
Look up: J. Murphy Co. St. Louis, and Studebaker South Bend, Indiana. Two of the most famous wagon makers 1860's +
I ordered the book. I have been to Goodnight's ranch house or at least what is left of it. It is located south of Claude Texas in the Palo Duro Canyon. I "Think" I saw his chuckwagon or one of the same design at Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon Texas.
Logistics was the most important factor of US Army garrisons and campaigns.
The primary reason there were US Army garrisons west of the Mississippi River was to guard the wagon trails.
Ironically the US Army used steam boats as much as possible to provide their Logistics. Experience during the Civil War 1861 to 1865 reinforced that.
