Mainly used for heavy loads,it became the essential transport for the pioneers as they moved west during the late 18th and most of the 19th centuries.Life during the journey was dangerous and hard.The pioneers had to move in groups in the form of wagon trains so that they could help one another when necessary. Mainly used for heavy loads, it became the essential transport for the pioneers as they moved west during the late 18th and most of the 19th centuries. Life during the journey was dangerous and hard. The pioneers had to move in groups in the form of wagon trains so that they could help one another when necessary