Inside an Amish Buggy (How it Works)

[@DaveSomething]

I'd say power tool batteries, but very cool. pretty too.

[@AmishAmerica]

I would agree - not sure why I said marine when looking at those, but they do use them as well.

[@Reziac]

@@AmishAmerica Do they use a wheel-powered generator (as part of the buggy) to charge the batteries? I had one on a bicycle. Seems to me it would be a very Amish way to deal with it.

[@admirableawesome2317]

i cant believe how close to a car that is...

[@FerdinandFake]

@@admirableawesome2317 The milwaukee M18 had me rolling, i wouldnt have thought of that but it sure makes it easy to take them out to charge

[@kimfleury]

That's a finely-crafted dashboard! Please extend my thanks to the buggy owner, and I thank you, as well.

[@AmishAmerica]

It is nice - I didn't stop to think about it until I started seeing all the comments here pointing that out

[@lc3853]

It's bugging me that you aren't using a coaster.

[@isaweesaw]

I love how old-fashioned the interior is. The old wood look, the handles on things. I think it's pretty

[@DaveSomething]

subwoofers in a buggy blasting Amish Paradise... I have trouble picturing that.

[@mq5276]

My daughter has a friend who used to install subwoofers in buggies.

[@dragondancer1814]

One word: Rumschpringe.

[@specialed6357]

Or Teach Me How To Buggy by Sloppy Secondz.

[@falsesyllogism2116]

This has more features than my first car! (Probably moves faster too!)

[@AmishAmerica]

😄

[@Holly-ro3yq]

I'm sorry to hear that. Lol

[@Alex-cb2gf]

Seeing the high beam light on the floor that you used your foot to activate brought back memories to my first car.

[@deusvult7559]

Yep...I thought the same thing

[@frydemwingz]

I have a car from 1977, so mine is just like that. the switch looks exactly the same too.

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

I've seen an Amish buggy here in the Farmville Virginia area with home made Air conditioning. They had a plastic cooler with a battery operated fan and a big block of ice and water in the cooler and two adjustable PVC Pipe elbow fittings attached to the fan motors to direct cool air. Very smart. And Cool.

[@Reziac]

Used to be common for cars to have a sort of swamp cooler -- fill with water, hang from the window frame, and it would direct cooled air into the cabin. No fan required -- the moving vehicle provided air pressure.

[@AmishAmerica]

I would like to see that!

[@alcestia2934]

That dashboard is beautiful. I wish modern cars had dashboards like that

[@lacyhay9022]

That is pretty cool. I didn't know their buggies had so many features. 😊

[@kathyh.1720]

Lacy Hay... Yeah, me neither. I was surprised to see what was inside on the "dashboard". Cool! Thanks, Eric, for sharing this! By the way, I was able ... sort of ... to see inside an Amish buggy of probably a Swartzentruber (as there was no SMV sign or any reflective tape), and it certainly did not have any of these features obvious, although I wasn't looking for them.

[@stantonmagid4126]

i had no idea

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Me neither

[@sharonholmes2470]

@@FrogeniusW.G. me either

[@rondias6625]

That's one very snazzy buggy compared to here in western Pa..there are some really nice well built buggy's here but nothing like your video.. thank you for sharing ✌️🙏

[@rebeccabowman6577]

That's pretty cool. My son and I visited an Amish farm last year for a tour in Lancaster County and we got to see inside the buggy and actually sit in as well. It was pretty neat. It was a family buggy so it had the 2nd seat in the back. Then we also got to see the courting buggy (open buggy). We go the the buggy and carriage auction in Bird in Hand and last year we seen a buggy go for about 8,000.00 so yeah they definitely aren't that cheap. Can't wait to go Friday and see how much some go for. Also went on a tour in November and seen another buggy and older gentleman had and he said he had his buggy 34 years. So they sound like they last awhile. Neat to see how the teenagers do their buggies. Just like normal teens (English as they call us) do their cars. I seen in our area some Amish teens had the purple underneath the buggy on the outside. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@rantwrite7178]

I had no idea that buggies were so well equipped! Great video- I learned a lot.

[@philsajtar7487]

Very impressive. Never expected to see that kind of fancy wood in a buggy. Love all of your videos.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Phil!

[@cindynielson4231]

Thanks for sharing more of the Amish life. Didn't know what features are in their buggies. 👍

[@jerryorange6983]

More advanced than I thought.

[@jamesdt1980]

You ever make it up to the Amish communities in Wisconsin? A few weeks ago I was working putting in a door at a house in Clintonville WI, there were Amish houses next door--- a group of women on a wagon were going by on the road, and they all waved to me-- which after watching a few of your previous videos that dealt with the friendlier Amish communities-- I felt pretty special about.

[@AmishAmerica]

Neat - I haven't been to Amish WI yet but still plan to. I'll try to remember Clintonville then 👍👍

[@jamesdt1980]

@@AmishAmerica Will definitely keep an eye open for that video-- should it happen!

[@mrs.g.9816]

Totally rad buggy! I love the workmanship in the control panel. The young owner has a sense of style, and he considered every safety feature that's needed. BTW - I remember my family was big. My parents owned a Rambler. Imagine the surprise of everybody outside the car as all of us kids exited the Rambler. BTW - I sorta knew buggies and horses would be expensive. I've known for decades that absolutely nothing - horses or cars - to get you from here to there is easy or inexpensive to maintain. Horses need shelter, good food, veterinary care and a whole lotta love and respect. Cars - the insurance, the maintenance, the gas - and a very careful driver. I can't drive. I'm blessed to find my groceries within walking distance.

[@AmishAmerica]

That's a point I think people overlook...when your car's not driving you're not feeding it gas...horses on the other hand 😄

[@witdwfjeannetteelizabeth]

It's amazing that they have that "brights" buttton like my dad's old '73 Buick Lesabre had!! Pretty cool gadgets in that buggy!

[@mjlvnv]

I’ve always loved the buggies, the woodwork is beautiful.

[@zalkona5051]

I totally love Lancaster County. There is a shop I saw on the right side of the road a few minutes before you get to Bird in Hand. They had a line up of used buggies. They were around $3-4 K but some were in kinda rough shape. I told my daughter:” We’re buying a buggy!” Can’t you just see me now tearing down the roads of Lancaster County in my new to me but raggedy old buggy??? LOL 😂

[@grh7britton405]

My Amish friends in Lancaster County pointed out a feature that I was not aware of: a lot of the canopies of the buggies were made of FIBERGLASS to reduce weight. They also pointed out that buggies have skidplates- metal plates attached to the side railings to keep the large wheels from rubbing when making a hard left or right. Although I live 20 miles east of Lancaster County, I spend most of my time in Amish country (love Roots country market!) whenever I can.

[@LittleBearMysticNun]

oh wow, that has so many more features than I'd've thought!

[@tommuscatello5999]

Excellent video. In my 64 years of life, I have been wondering as to what is inside a typical buggy. My curiosity has been satisfied for which I am most grateful.

[@Melissa0774]

I never knew they were so similar to cars. It's so steampunk.

[@ajalicea1091]

Not all Amish are this way with their buggies. The Swartzentruber are even plainer. Most of them do not even have a warning triangle on the back of their buggy. So other vehicle drivers(cars, trucks, ect...) must be extremely careful at night, especially going up and down the hills. You can come up behind them so quickly, you don't even realize until it's too late. God verboten.

[@Melissa0774]

@@ajalicea1091 Well the Swartzentrubers are on a whole different level. I think they're pretty much the only ones, anymore, who are still committed to pretending 100%, that it's the 1800's. They don't even teach their kids in school, who the current president is. I think they're a cult because they're so isolated and a lot of them won't let their kids leave. The more liberal sects, on the other hand, who aren't so cult-like, seem to have more of a weird steam punk sort of thing going on now. (Where they're actually very modern, but their stuff just looks old fashioned, from an aesthetic point of view.) I wouldn't be surprised if in 20 years, we start seeing Amish groups popping up, where they drive cars and wear normal clothes, but still call themselves Amish. I think they're moving toward that.

[@grahamhayden8969]

Obviously not a Schwartzentruber Amish buggy

[@SaharaColeman]

Wow these features are incredible! Definitely an upgrade from what we were used to seeing. The blinkers are the coolest. Black Ice is my favorite car scent. Battery Operated is so much more affordable. The manual wipers are an interesting addition.

[@beckycaughel7557]

Wow this was a very interesting and informative video! It was great to see inside the buggy . It looks like the dashboard was made from a dresser drawer but it was beautiful

[@sheila219]

that's beautiful!! had no clue they were so beautiful. I so wish I lived near those folks. you can learn a lot from them. pretty cool

[@RockinRavenVA]

Cool video...I wanted to see your dismount, haha! Mine is awkward, to say the least. BTW my Amish friends insist on calling the dachweggli a "carriage". To them, the open courting-type style is a "buggy" but I know that buggy is the catchall word for most people and always will be! :)

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks for pointing that out - exactly, I use "buggy" as well as that's how the English know it (and frankly, how I still think of this type of vehicle) though carriage would be what they call it as you say. I managed to dismount without skinning my shin or faceplanting so I call that a success 👍👍

[@M.Halawi]

The windshield wiper is the coolest feature.

[@ajalicea1091]

In the area where I grew up there is now an Amish community. At various times of the year they set up a table at the Family Dollar Store in town to sell baked goods and various can goods.(homemade) Location is Vienna Illinois.

[@morningwoodfarms713]

Purple interior lights, Bluetooth bass & peanut M&M's..🤔...sounds like a guy I'd like to "buggy-around" with!😄😍🌌💓 Absolutely awesome video, Eric!🙌🏆 SO fascinating! As always, thanks for sharing!🤗 Hope you're having fun and staying safe while traveling. 🙏💖

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks a bunch! I just did a little more traveling to Amish in NC. Vids to come! :)

[@norasanchez2348]

Me Too 😀😃😄😆😁😀😃😄😆😁

[@kylesty6728]

That woodwork is exquisite. I don’t know why that’s such a surprise.

[@carolynl4553]

That is fancier than I thought they would be. Thanks.

[@angeliquelivezey2216]

I've noticed some of the southern Lancaster buggies have turn signals now. But my friend was vacationing around Gettysburg and noticed some buggies in that region had blue under carriage lights.

[@susiecox8413]

wow this is awesome! I have wondered what a buggy looks like on the inside. Pleasantly surprised with the "glovebox", love the dimmer switch on the floor, (wish they would bring that back in vehicles), the cup holder/console and all the lights! Looks quite small for a family. I am surprised at the cost of a buggy and what the Amish will/do pay for horses. I also love seeing the little ponies and carts. Very interesting video. Thanks Erik!

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you liked it Susie and I've learned about the floor dimmer that used to be in cars thanks to your and other comments here! I wouldn't have known it was there if the owner hadn't pointed it out to me

[@jackieforestieri2627]

and I bet they actually store gloves in their gloveboxes!

[@raethibodeau9604]

Great video Erik. I really enjoyed your inside tour of an Amish buggy. I never would have thought they were carpeted and had beautiful wooden interiors. I'm always learning something new from your videos.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Rae - I would agree and people have really brought to my attention how nice the wooden dashboards in these buggies can be!

[@davidstoughton3257]

The AMAZING DETAIL OF THE DASH blew my mind. The dash looks like a piece of VERY FINE FURNITURE !!!!!! I've seen fine furniture go for many more dollars than that buggy !!

[@AmishAmerica]

I have gotten a new appreciation for the dash since making this video

[@jeromevonloodwig5851]

I’m sure the buggy owner appreciates that coffee mug that is about to fall on his wooden dash

[@gr33nshoes]

Great. I have seen them in pictures and scanning past them in videos and I was always wondering what they did.

[@CyclingM1867DubbysMama]

As someone who's always had a great interest in the Amish & other similar sects, I found this quite fascinating. I have always wondered what an Amish buggy looked like inside. Thank-you for sharing this with us. :)

[@AmishAmerica]

Gladly! this one was fun

[@mimih3914]

Such a cool share! I've always imagined them much more plain. BEAUTIFUL "Dash board"! A really enjoyable video - like yours always are!

[@archiechoke23]

Nice tour. Dash is a lot nicer then I thought they would be.

[@carguy4658]

I still say the ambiance of the Amish Buggy gives your post a special flavor. From all the Black Ice Air Fresheners, I would think he needs to take the horse down to the river or lake and give him a bath. 😶😶

[@The_Smith]

Love that cup holder.

[@ShedzGuy]

That is a speedometer beside the clock. Probably a wireless bicycle model.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks - yes I flubbed that bit. Here's a look at one "on" in a horse and buggy Mennonite carriage amishamerica.com/mennonite-buggy-dashboard/

[@treavy1]

I love the Amish wood work in it it just looks solid like how things used to be made here in America

[@dillinpicklesworth5698]

Oh, hell no, that coffee cup without a coaster, Really!!!!!! Giving me "wooden spoon" flash backs, LOL.

[@leonb2637]

The horse whip is an Amish 'accelerator'. I suspect the level of lighting and equipment will vary among the various Amish sub-communities, if have to travel on busy roads so need to be visible, how far they have to travel for shopping, outside work, farm supplies.

[@Phantasm57]

7:14 that's some amazing Forethought, their horses can wear a lantern . I wonder if the mounted lantern has one setting or if the brights and fog come on from it as well . Brings a Totally different perspective to the thought of "Headlights" .

[@doopstoop4656]

That’s really cool! I understand Amish don’t use technology so they won’t see my comment but I think they are really awesome and I like the sense of community they have.

[@obsidianet]

Bluetooth stereos and battery powered lighting is technology.

[@doopstoop4656]

That don’t use internet is that I mean so they will never see this comment

[@birdiesgs]

Thank you for sharing this video...It is so interesting..I want a ride..

[@flynnclement3254]

They do very good work

[@wordawakeningny]

Fun video Mr. Wesner. Great job!

[@miroslavzima8856]

Funny thing is, with good horse, this buggy is much modern than Tesla cars. If the horse knows the way home, he even beats current autopilot. Not to mention how stylish the inside of the buggy is. Thumbs up!

[@grahamhayden8969]

I’m a fan of the ones that have the non-roofs or coverings, almost like a carriage. 🙂

[@KiltedDaddyBear]

Hey - great! Never had the chance to learn about this.

[@Holly-ro3yq]

Nice wood dash. Music too? 😁 I live near Lancaster & have seen a lot of buggys in my life but I've never looked inside one.

[@yankeetango]

Ride my motorcycle through that area all the time and pass many buggies, especially on Sundays. Gotta watch for the "spent horse fuel." Anyway, never got a good look inside one so thanks for the tour.

[@nancyaustin9516]

I've sometimes wondered who makes these buggies--does there tend to be one family in each major community? Also, I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers this, but the headlight switch for the brights used to be on the floor in a lot of cars in the 1960s. I still miss that, actually.

[@RockinRavenVA]

In Lancaster County, there are several large manufacturers, all family-owned and Amish, of course. Care to guess how much a brand new carriage costs? :)

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

Yes, I remember the floor button switch too, my parent's cars in the 1960's :)

[@AmishAmerica]

I visited an Amish buggy maker on Saturday. Not all communities have them but this small NC settlement did

[@lanceres5spd]

Thank you for the tour of an Amish Mustang

[@fyrekrystaal27]

I remember when I heard that some Amish didn't like having the orange triangles on their buggies and to see what was in that buggy was interesting.

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

Pushes buttons, turns knobs, looks inside glove compartment. "I can't leave you English alone in the buggy for 5 minutes, can I...?!" (Says every irritated Amish grocery shopping mom, lol 😁) This is a very nice interesting video, thank you for the interior tour - it's a beautiful buggy. That carved console...! Also like how the Amish use floor switches to adjust high-beam lights. I'm old enough to remember my parent's cars (1960's) having the same floor button light switches too.

[@AmishAmerica]

😅can't leave them alone, exactly. Glad you liked it. I wasn't aware cars had similar switches at one point

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

@@AmishAmerica 👍☺️

[@deadhorse1391]

Good video Much fancier buggy then what the Amish use here in Delaware never see a grey buggy here either Have ridden in my friends I can vouch for them being pretty small too

[@hjgolfman]

Black Ice in the buggy 😂 amazing!

[@homersimpson6176]

Oh my gosh Manual wipers in a rain storm and only you driving ! trust the Horse !

[@floralmist6824]

The wife runs the wipers lol

[@michellesunshinestar]

My sister gave out paper (card stock, heavy paper), fans, it was outside and hot over the summer. But it was so pretty, I have it hanging on my wall with a push pen over my computer table, so I can look at it. I lost the invitation I think. But the fan has all the information on it.

[@Ajrzook]

That gray thing next to the clock is a speedometer

[@mq5276]

I remember when I was much much younger we used to see the buggies rumbling along with three or four people walking behind. I think they don't have as many children as they used to.

[@mikeklinger1712]

Pretty cool with some old fashion style

[@GaryCameron780]

"What this buggy needs is a good sub woofer"

[@zacktube100]

I just bought a solar freezer online that was described as made with Amish quality due to it being made in Indiana. I thought it was ridiculous to refer to a 12V anything as Amish quality but maybe not after seeing this buggy.

[@neta565]

Very neat and cosy!😁

[@je8480]

Inside is beautiful

[@TheMtggrl]

Wow and here I sat thinking it was just horses and there were no features, I knew that had little hazard signs on some of them, but where was my brain not thinking that they would have brakes, maybe I thought it was a lever of some sort that would be inside and would press down on the wheels to stop the buggy. Would you say that when a young man who owns a buggy marries, would they change it out for a buggy that is more plain or would they just change out the "extravagant stuff they have added" and make it more suitable for a family? You've cleared all that up for me. Thanks for sharing another very interesting topic, it's one thing to read about these things, but to actually see them makes it better, I'm a visual person. 🙂

[@Ujuani68]

They have to let go of all the music/purple lights, when they join the church, not when getting married. They have to be church members to marry.😄

[@AmishAmerica]

I think they tend to stay with that first buggy at least awhile just dropping some frills like the speakers :)

[@nowhere529]

That Cup holders for drifting round Mt Akina

[@beavisbrowne3497]

Very interesting 👌

[@rogerwright4323]

Excellent video! Thanks for posting!

[@jeanholley5820]

Really cool! I do wonder how old

[@SugarSugarCreek]

Wow!! Beautiful

[@dasy2k1]

Wow more fancy than I expected. Diddnt expect the sound system for sure. Don't some communities refuse to use electric lights even when battery operated and use oil lamps on the side of the buggy?

[@AmishAmerica]

That's correct - primarily groups known as the Swartzentruber Amish and the Nebraska Amish (the latter mostly found in PA despite the name)

[@AmishAmerica]

Sound system is a youth buggy thing, not going to be seen in baptized adult buggies

[@sharonholmes2470]

Very interesting! Thank 😊 You

[@Tall_Order]

An Amishman with a hifi stereo in his buggy with a subwoofer would turn some heads.

[@lisacraze1]

Fascinating! $10,000?? Woah.

[@AmishAmerica]

Add the horse & related costs and it does add up

[@millsyinnz]

Should have a solar panel to charge the batteries? I have to admit, I like the Amish carriages.

[@SandyPietschmann-fl6dv]

Here in Germany (don't know if it's similar elsewhere), buggy is the name for a type of pram. - That's why I say "Amish buggy" to avoid confusion. 🙂 Amish buggies really vary in design from "Yes, a little light" to "Argh, that's blinding!".

[@michael931]

I hope Rich Rebuilds sees this. He would appreciate the Black Ice freshener.

[@tadzionl]

I am asking myself one thing. Where do the leashes go to manage the horse?

[@wckoek]

I noticed that most 4 wheel carriage in other part of the world are usually pull by 2 horses, but Amish buggies are usually 1 horse only, wouldn't it be taxing to the horse? Also, is it a rule that the buggies must be black in colour? I imagine it will be cooler under the sun and more visible if it is white.

[@farmcentralohio]

Maybe I missed it but what's the red button for towards the left on the dash? Thanks, very interesting. Or is a light?

[@VictoryInYeshuaMinistry]

That is very interesting!

[@jerryvincent8402]

I was able to help my son-in -law gather some wood from a Amish saw mill in southern MI. 🇺🇸🐻

[@tiportangeles2696]

Fascinating!

[@teresagabriela5806]

Very interesting !

[@SugarSugarCreek]

Well since he's a teenager, he has the "Mustang " of buggies ...2 seater, tricked out lol some things like teenagers are just universal. As you said the price ranges, but on the high end, you could pay the comparable to one of our high end pickup trucks. They can go upwards and beyond $75k and more. I've heard of a buggy horse going for $35k and the buggy $35K. I'm sure there are those who absolutely would not pay that for a rig. They have their expenses the same as us when it comes to buggies and plows in regard to the horses. A good draft horse for plowing isn't going to be a buggy or wagon horse. The feed and care and vet bills are like our maintenance. Growing up near an Amish settlement, one thing I don't recall seeing except a time or two was a man riding a saddle horse. That might just be where I lived. Anyone have any input on the saddle horse?

[@SantaFe19484]

What is the Bluetooth speaker for?

[@sunset6010]

FASCINATING, ! Very interesting ✔

[@veulmet]

I'm surprised they don't have a solar panel on the top...

[@AmishAmerica]

They do make them - I think I have included this photo in a previous video - Buggy Solar Panel - amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-solar-panel/ That's from Indiana. I don't recall seeing them much on buggies, however I don't often take a close look at the tops of buggies :)

[@lukassvitek1432]

Hey Eric! Where can I get one of those tea mugs?

[@lukassvitek1432]

**coffee mug

[@AmishAmerica]

That's from Die Botschaft an Amish publication in pA...I have one from 2013 which I got when I personally visited their offices. I'm not sure where my friend got this 2007 cup I was drinking from. I think you'd need to get one direct from them and that's probably not going to be an online order :)

[@JesseBetcher]

Is there an age or any state laws regulating drivers that you know of?

[@VanHellsing12]

Is narrator from Baltimore? I hear a strong Bmore accent when he says window, home, here, open, et.al. words, a LOT like a native of Baltimore speaks.

[@sybsygstgstsgysg5330]

That’s a nice buggy, if it had subs it would be perfect, then I can roll down the road blasting Amish paradise