In sturdy waggons such as this, countless thousands of pioneers crossed the barren plains of the United States to reach the new lands of the West, by the legendary Oregon and Santa Fe trails. Based on plans of similar waggons built for the U.S. Army, this vehicle is typical of those that made the journey from Independence in Missouri, in the period before the Civil War. Oxen were frequently preferred to horses for their steadiness, and ability to live on sparse feed. The plans show the alternative fittings for both kinds of draught animal.

During the great cattle drives on the Chisholm and Goodnight trails the "hands" would set up camp each night around the chuck waggon. The cook had a special cabinet to hold his utensils, and the rear flap was lowered to form his work surface. In the body of the waggon the cowboys' bedrolls and gear were stored, and a canvas cover would be draped over the hoops. Typical camp equipment is shown on this plan.  

This South African vehicle is an interesting contrast to the Prairie Schooners of the American West. Although used for the pioneer migrations in the same times, it is more closely related to the old European waggons. A distinctive feature is that the sides and floor both dismantled from the body - a necessity when manhandling the vehicle over the Drakensburg mountains on the trek North. The carving of the spokes and body standards is directly derived from Dutch folk designs.

The 'Cobb & Co' stage lines carried the Royal Mail into the outback, and were equivalent to the Wells Fargo service in the U.S.A., even using much the same design of coach. Peter Birmingham has produced a very clear and detailed plan. The distinctive feature of coaches designed for rough trails was the suspension on leather straps rather than steel springs.