I know that someone already proposed to add a functionality for the carts to be used both as objects transport and as a movable storage bin. Rather than proposing that idea yet again I'll propose sensibly the same idea except for the fact that the Storage Cart and regular Cart would be two different items (which should hopefully be easier to code too).
Why such an idea?
With the recent introduction of travel timers it is increasingly harder for a settled town which has already almost exhausted the natural resources around it or which didn't have such resources in the first place to get a hold of such resources. For example for any big established town, clay is a resource of choice to build the brick walls needed for its defense. Yet even sizable clay pits run out fairly quickly or are increasingly difficult to mine. Before the introduction of travel timers it was a non issue. People would just make an alt, find a sizable clay pit and trade with their main in Providence. Problem solved. Now that we have to wait to trade and that you can only carry so much makes it hard for any sizable trade. I do understand that it may be something pushed out by the devs yet I do believe that this new problem can be solved by my idea in a fun way while retaining a certain degree of difficulty to import material.
My idea?
Fairly simple; you build a Storage Cart that acts as a moving Storage Bin. You need bricks? You go out and survey for some clay pits. You find one, you make your bricks and you carry them back to your base. All with the comfort of playing on your main. It would still be a hassle to get clay but it would be more fun than just waiting for the timer to reset. Moreover it will incite players to move out in the maps which should create possibility of ambushes and other fun PvP related activities.
Addressing concerns:
I do understand that a cart can carry 25*8 bricks in chests (200 bricks). Yet it's a hassle to take the chests, put bricks in and put them back in the cart. A storage cart would carry 500 bricks with all the convenience of a storage bin. Some people might argue that it would render the cart useless. Not at all in my opinion. The cart would still retain his usefulness for carrying liftable objects. For the regular worker it is carrying boulders, logs, etc. For raiders it carries Cash Shop Cotton Cleaners and Eternal Flames. A storage cart would not be able to carry those items. Morever the prices of the objects could be balanced accordingly.
Cost:
I would suggest an increased cost compared to a Cart.
A Cart is: 6 Planed Boards, 6 Dry Boards, 1 Steel, 2 Ropes, 4 Nails.
A Storage Cart would be: 12 Oiled Boards, 12 Planed Boards, 30 Dry Boards, 2 Steel, 8 Wrought Iron, 16 Nails and 8 Ropes.
The size of the cart would be a bit bigger than the cart with a nice finished thanks to the Oiled Boards. The increase price of metal material is justified to reinforce the structural integrity. Moreover in addition to the 2 ropes needed to push the cart, 6 more are needed to hold the cargo.
Comments from the devs would be appreciated.