Utility Cycling - Evolution of the shopping trailer

You may recall my shopping trolley trailer HERE. (www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=230076)

It was a great trailer. Indestructible and lots of capacity in volume and weight. The only issues I had were that the cargo area wasn't weatherproof, it was a lttle too wide to comfortably navigate some of the areas I take it into, and it was heavier than necessary for the job it does.

After considering your comments and my experience using it, along with some productive dumpster diving it has evolved into the version you see here.

The plastic box I already had, its 2" narrower and 3" shorter (front to back) than the shopping trolley basket, its also a bit shorter vertically. However, its still enough capacity to get the shopping home, but most importantly the lid seals watertight.

The other alteration is the switch from 26" to 20" wheels (brand new out of a dumpster :D) and relocation of the axle line approximately 3" behind the center of gravity. She looks a little rough because the welds need a cleanup, and the chassis a coat of paint. I really like the idea that the wheels are bolted not QR therefore a little safer from theft. Even with that very sturdy 1" square steel tube chassis she only weighs 20 pounds. :) total cost was a $4 spare tube, and welding consumables.

Now you have a "useful" trailer. Congrats. That Rubbermaid "Action Packer" trunk is one great product.

I love seeing the evolution and perfection of the trailer. One more idea: How about a trailer that could be detached from the bike and taken into the store? One you could actually uses as a shopping cart in the store, then reattach it to your bike and ride home?

Ah.... I see you've been taking photography lessons from the Automotive publications. Can't have a photo of a nice vehicle without a model! :p

Nice trailer!

I love seeing the evolution and perfection of the trailer. One more idea: How about a trailer that could be detached from the bike and taken into the store? One you could actually uses as a shopping cart in the store, then reattach it to your bike and ride home?
Roody, you are thinking of something like this "shopper" model?

http://www.wicycle.com/gcs.htm

Ah.... I see you've been taking photography lessons from the Automotive publications. Can't have a photo of a nice vehicle without a model! :p

Nice trailer!

Yes, I noted that also. I didn't know how to comment without sounding like a pervert so I didn't.
However, I'd bet "Daddy" ain't gotta chance with that sweety. Lucky for me I had 4 boys as my
grand daughter just runs over my fanny. :D :D

Now you have a "useful" trailer. Congrats. That Rubbermaid "Action Packer" trunk is one great product.

Thanks Tightwad, and I'm impressed! you sure know your plastic boxes.

It flares out all the way around the sides making it just perfect to sit in the frame. As it is it just lifts out so the trailes converts to a flatbed for hauling bigger stuff. I'll add some floor support for the box as soon as I pick up some offcuts.

I love seeing the evolution and perfection of the trailer. One more idea: How about a trailer that could be detached from the bike and taken into the store? One you could actually uses as a shopping cart in the store, then reattach it to your bike and ride home?

I've been thinking about that idea, my wife suggested it also. I have a few designs in my head that I'll experiment with soon.

If I do go to a shopping trolley conversion I'd also go to a 1.25" square aluminum tube chassis and shave another 3 or 4 pounds.

Just had a thought, it started life as a shopping trolley converted into a trailer and its evolving into a trailer that converts into a shopping trolley.:p

Roody, you are thinking of something like this "shopper" model?

http://www.wicycle.com/gcs.htm

That's a nice design, looks like it might catch a fair bit of cross/headwind.... I don't know about loading it with 5 cases of soft drinks tho, doesn't look quite that sturdy.

Ah.... I see you've been taking photography lessons from the Automotive publications. Can't have a photo of a nice vehicle without a model! :p

Nice trailer!

Thanks for the kind words. Her name is Stefanie and she'll be 4 in a couple of weeks. In the workshop she's my shaddow, she knows all the tools and always there to hand me what I need. She has her own welding mask and leathers even though she's still not game to pick up the MIG gun..... And ofcourse she insists on modelling the trailer she built with just a little help from daddy :p

I love seeing the evolution and perfection of the trailer. One more idea: How about a trailer that could be detached from the bike and taken into the store? One you could actually uses as a shopping cart in the store, then reattach it to your bike and ride home?

Like this? http://www.mysmarttrolley.com.au/

I found one last week I liked a bit better, unfortunately, all my bookmarks got trashed in a crash this morning. That one had a folding frame. You could just hang it on a hook inside a closet. Why can't I find it now? Darned Google...

Like this? http://www.mysmarttrolley.com.au/

I found one last week I liked a bit better, unfortunately, all my bookmarks got trashed in a crash this morning. That one had a folding frame. You could just hang it on a hook inside a closet. Why can't I find it now? Darned Google...

One of these, maybe?

http://www.cycletote.com/family_model.html

http://wicycle.com/cargo.htm

http://www.tonystrailers.com/

http://www.bykaboose.com/

Actually, like this:
http://www.bikerev.com/pg3.cfm

Nice looking rig, Cyclaholic.:)

Cyclholic, that's just what I've been thinking about doing with an old child carrier I have. My problem has been finding a container that will fit the hole. Is it a Rubbermaid Action Packer I need to get?

Another option is to fix a sheet of plywood, cut to fit, as a bed to the trailer. This would give more versatility in that what you wanted to haul wouldn't have to fit in the box, but you could also carry the box.

Cyclholic, that's just what I've been thinking about doing with an old child carrier I have. My problem has been finding a container that will fit the hole. Is it a Rubbermaid Action Packer I need to get?

Post a few pics of that child carrier and we'll all have a conversion brainstorm. Can you weld whatever material your trailer is made of? or have access to someone who does?

The rubbermaid action packer is a nice box, the lid and closing latches are excellent and that's the problem - it's too nice so I worry that it will be stolen while I'm in the shops. The only reason I'm using it is because I already had it in the garage. The most basic cheap plastic storage bins are ideal. A lid is necessary to keep the rain out but I wouldn't even worry about locking latches and just use a bungee cord.

Plastic isn't the only {or best** option. I just picked up some nice 1/8" plywood and am looking at building a new box for my trailer to replace the Rubbermaid..... that could be an option for your conversion also.

Another option is to fix a sheet of plywood, cut to fit, as a bed to the trailer. This would give more versatility in that what you wanted to haul wouldn't have to fit in the box, but you could also carry the box.

Build in a bunch of tiedown points and you have a modular 'convertible' setup. I like it! :beer:

I have a half-built trailer in my garage. Not very pleased with the dropouts for the wheels. What did you use? I can't figure it out from the photos... but it certainly looks serviceable.
Also... where did you find the hitch?

There's a guy living close to me who makes some pretty cool trailers for bikes, including one that can tow a kayak.

Here's his web site: www.tonystrailers.com

He's from Mill Bay, British Columbia which is close to Victoria on Vancouver Island.

I have a half-built trailer in my garage. Not very pleased with the dropouts for the wheels. What did you use? I can't figure it out from the photos... but it certainly looks serviceable.
Also... where did you find the hitch?

I cut the dropouts out of flat bar stock, I'll grab you some better pics.

The hitch is two pieces of flat bar welded onto the square tubular arm on the trailer. There's two nuts, each ground into a cone shape welded onto the insides of the bars, the top nut is drilled out so that the locking bolt drops straight through it and screws into the bottom nut.

On the bike there's a bit of bar stock drilled so that its secured to the bike with the QR. It has nuts welded to it with a tie rod end screwed into the nuts, this allows the bike to tilt side to side independently of the trailer. The inner part of the tie rod (the part with the hole, which swivels freely) fits in between the two cone shaped nuts on the trailer hitch and is secured witha bolt.

I don't know if all this makes sense but if you read it in conjunction with the pictures you should be aqble to work it out, otherwise let me know and I'll do some sketches.