Touring - Bike trailer and modifications

I've been thinking about getting a bike trailer for some time
Schwinn child trailer etc
But haven't been sure I'd use it as much as I'd like to

I'll only be carrying photographic equipment. 4x5 camera and lenses in case weighing 20 pounds, backpack full with 35mm & digital camera gear and tripod. All together weighing in at a good 40-50 pounds.
I need the trailer to carry the 4x5 case or else I can't take it with me on bike rides ..being able to take the rest of the stuff off my back would only be an added bonus.
The trailers maximum load is 50lbs.

I saw this ad today
It's for an older "original" Bykaboose. It's been modified by a previous owner with a footboard for kids to kick their feet up on ..but it's easily removable.
The entire thing is like a mini rikshaw/stagecoach and has been redone by current owner with new fabrics and things.

I'm liking the looks of it a lot but -I'm- only really interested in the bones.
I'd modify it by taking off the awning and the footboard ..as well as the metal rest for the feet that supports the footboard. I'd be paring down everything I could in the hitch/arm assembly

Going for a sleeker "lawn roller" look


My question is whether anyone has seen this style of trailer before and if removing those foot bars would weaken anything ..I can't see how all that there is connected in the photos.

I'm thinking it would be pretty vintage cool and plenty stable if all that can be done easily. $50 and some work
What do you think? Worth $50 and a shot?

Oh, come on

Here is another view

I'm at least going to take a look.

Hey, the basket has a cover now, too.

Oh, come on

Here is another view

I'm at least going to take a look.
Looks like it can get tail heavy pretty easily. You'd do better with the center of mass over the axle line.

What do you mean, Tom? Tail Heavy? Like the trailer would want to rotate backwards or something?

You think the foot bar thing keeps the weight more forward?

I wouldn't be using the basket for much besides like a bottle or two of Dasani

I think that is exactly the issue if you load too far behind the trailer axle. A little tail heavy might not be a big issue, but any significant tail weight will want to pull up on the hitch and that may create unstable handling or a weak connection to your seatpost.

If you load carefully it might not be a problem or if you can leave some part of the foot brace system in place to bring the load a little more forward. I would certainly load carefully watching the trailer tongue weight for excess in either direction. Otherwise I think it is well worth taking a shot with some modifications.

Thanks to you both. Not sure if I'm going out to see it today but perhaps tomorrow

The footrest I'd assume is only a few pounds and only 8-12in away from the seat
I'm not sure taking it off is going to create that much of a weight shift
With 40 pounds in the seat area resting above and forward of the axle -about the same as if a child or two were sitting in it ..minus legs
and with the awnings negligible weight removed from behind the axle -as well as whatever force wind brings into the equation from it acting as a sail
and since the basket may be removed entirely depending on how much it gets in the way


I guess my only way to find out is by trying it


Or I could just leave it the way it is
Maybe start up a small infant jinrikishaw transport service
It's probably a real chick magnet, too.

sonofsand,

I saw this trailer on CL, are you from the Rochester area? I am closer to Syracuse but I often check out the Rochester CL section. That is of course where I saw this with these exact pictures.

My recommendation would be a Burley Nomad or Flatbed. The Flatbed may be better as you plan on modifying it yourself. Here is a link:

http://www.burley.com/products/flatbed.html

No way dude. Leave the awning. Aren't you proud enough of your equipment to let it ride in "style"? ;)

LOL


Yes, I am from Rochester ..well, Batavia. You the one who keeps beating me to all the nice used bikes?
I just missed out on a Peugeot 15 speed that could have been pretty nice

I've been looking at bike trailers for inspiration but they all kind of look alike.
BOB is great-lookin but not for my needs
Then there are the ones with actual totes or buckets fastened to some wheels ..not my idea of style
There are ones with a duffel bag/internal frame bag attached to a pair of wheels
..The NOMAD fits this category. That's an ideal trailer for me ..but too expensive.

child trailers are perfect but are rather large and short on style
Flatbeds look ok ..like a garden trailer. Looks like I'd have to buy $25 worth of cords to keep everything tight. They may just have TOO much room that I'd never use.
Also, how much do those cost? $200? I'd rather take the canopy off a Schwinn child trailer and end up with nearly the same thing for $75.

None of these have ultra-cool fenders, either.



The price is the main thing for me. I'm too frugal to spend $200-300 bucks on a trailer. $100 even.
If I were doing 500 mile trips regularly I'd fork it over.
This would have just enough room for my case and possibly my backpack.
It just looks like the perfect size.

Hehe, no I've only looked on CL, never bought a bike. I did try and buy a Burley trailer once but the person advertising it never replied back. That was in Oswego though. I ended up buying the Burley D'lite for my little one. Ended up getting it new from my LBS. Of course after some research I can't use it until he is closer to 1. He is just over 6 months now.

I've only been on the prowl for a touring bike though so unless you are looking for a 54cm C-T tourer I don't think you have any competition from me!

I just want another nice-lookin', good quality and yet inexpensive bike to ride. 51cm for tight, athletic fit up to 56 for a larger fit.
54 seems like the magic number.
My connection is at 7.2-9.6 Kbps so you'll be able to respond a little quicker than I


I've missed out on more than a handful this spring

Congrats on the new addition.