Bicycle Mechanics - I want to transform a fridge into a biketrailer. Any experience?.

Hi,

I woule like to make a bike trailer from a fridge. I use the case of the fridge with the door as the box. And have wheels to put underneath.

Does anyone know where to find technical details how to make it?

About where to place the gravity point?
And possible things need to know and do not know yet?

Thanks
Ludd

Sounds like it'd make a pretty heavy trailer.

I'm sure it can be done, but weight is going to be an issue. What were you thinking of doing with the cooling bits - they require special disposal. Fitting a hitch is also going to be a pain - were you thinking of mounting to the seatpost, chainstay or axle?

Richard

You will need a very long extension cord.

Dave

You will need a long extension cable.

edit>> Hey thats my joke, butt out.>>

You can sell ice cream on the streets now on the way home :D with some annoying ice cream truck music. :p

[quote]I'm sure it can be done, but weight is going to be an issue. What were you thinking of doing with the cooling bits - they require special disposal. Fitting a hitch is also going to be a pain - were you thinking of mounting to the seatpost, chainstay or axle?

Richard
[unquote]

I've thought about the weight.
I chose metal as the frame, cause it is easier to find people who can welt metal than it is to find aluminium weldingequipmetn.
It will be very cool inside, and without the engine and coolingbits it is not that heavy anymore.

The gass requires special disposal, the fridge I have lost its gass cause of a fit. The rest is recyclable and the engine can be used as a pressurepump to pump up tires. Hardly any waste left!

What is the best place to mount a hitch on?



(Sorry about my English, still learning)

Keep in mind that in order for the refrigeration system to be functional, it needs to be upright.

Originally posted by danr
Keep in mind that in order for the refrigeration system to be functional, it needs to be upright.

True, and it is VERY dangerous if you turn it on while the liquid inside is moving, and you are supposed to set the refrigerator at least 1 day settled WITHOUT moving to turn it back on, or else...

Try these sites that deal with trailers. The key issue will be how you construct a hitch. The curved one that goes to the rear of the left chain/seat stays is the most popular commercially and in home-made ones as you will see. The balance point, I'd suggest, is a trial and error thing -- set up your axle with wheels, place it under the box and move it back and forth until you get the balance point you want, mark it, then attach the axle in line with that point.

The hitch will be your critical issue, but some of the sites have details on how to build.

You will have to be confident of two things:

1. Your brakes are up to scratch in stopping both your bike and the loaded trailer.

2. The chain/seat stays on your bike are robust enough to take the twisting loads the trailer will apply. That is why the left stay hitch is better than the BOB option.

Have fun.

http://www.ibike.org/economics/trailer.htm

http://www.bikesatwork.com/bike-trailers/

http://www.mozbike.com/build/shoptrailer/index.html

If I see you with your new trailer on the street, can I trouble you for a cold beer? :beer:

Originally posted by danr
Keep in mind that in order for the refrigeration system to be functional, it needs to be upright.
It sounds like he intends gutting the fridge and motor so he won't be operating it at all.

Originally posted by MediaCreations
It sounds like he intends gutting the fridge and motor so he won't be operating it at all.

One would hope he takes advantange of the insulation, though. That's a helluva a lotta beer to drag around......

Visit any Third World country and you'll see food vendors on bikes and trikes pulling or pushing large converted ice boxes on wheels. .....come to think of it, I see them here in L.A. too.....

I thought you were going to make a TRAINER! I was dying to find out how to do THAT!!! :) :) :) :lol:

WTF are you going put in the trailer ???? How big is the old 'fridge ???

Originally posted by Ludd
Hi,

I woule like to make a bike trailer from a fridge. I use the case of the fridge with the door as the box. And have wheels to put underneath.


Thanks
Ludd

Please keep us posted on the progress of this project. Maybe a web site with progress photos, too. This could be right up there with the combination computer/coffee maker.

The only thing that comes to mind (and I'd have to think through the math) Is that unless a stripped down refigerator is much
lighter than I would imagine, travelling both uphill and downhill could be a nightmare. I'd test on small hills with no traffic or obstructions (so that if the brakes don't hold, you can coast to a stop).

Larry

Another question:

What is the purpose of the project:

1) A novelty/conversation piece?

2) A recycling project?

3) A practical attempt to get a trailer with huge loadbearing capacity.

If its the first, you could proceed totally trial and error. Just figure out
some reasonably modular wheel/bracket/axle system for playing around
with different combinations, do the same for a hitch arrangement of some
sort, and when you get to the point of pulling it fifty feet on level ground and
taking a few photos you're good to go.

If it's the second, I'd find some folks who have a few Human Powered Vehicle projects under their belts, and open discussions with them. They've likely gotten some familiarity with issues of non-standard weights and geometries for wheeled vehicles, not to mention the issues involving braking and steering.

If it's the third, I might think about choosing a different starting point than an old refrigerator. I'd imagine you can get better performance from a lighter frame.

Larry

Are you building this to keep the roadkill that you collect for dinner cool? :lol:

:eek:
Couldn't you find something a little heavier?

Hi,

it should be no real problem. Keep in mind the big reefer semitrailers are made out of plastic, insolation foam, aluminum sheet, the axle assembly and the king pin with mounting. They don´t have a frame. If it´s working with 30 tons - why not with a couple of pounds?
I´d agree with the other people in terms of bringing us some ice cream and beer.

Regards
Hans:beer:

This thread died 2 months ago check the last post date Hahs

Too bad he never got back to us with outcome. As has been pointed out, with the guts removed, the box shouldn't be too heavy. Would be an interesting project.

Paul

Instead of a fridge, why not one of those cheap, plywood coffins. You can fit a body in one of those things (pun intended).

Hi,

I wouldn´t start with wood since it´s a bit heavy. OTOH, it may be quite useful if you get damaged while on the road - they can just take you to a permanent rest.
BTW, I´ve posted some links to the trailer bldg. thread in the touring section.

Regards
Hans

let me know the result of your project maybe we can have that patented

Close enough to give you the picture:



http://www.bikesatwork.com/hauling-cargo-by-bike/moving-a-refrigerator.html

Originally posted by Ludd
Does anyone know where to find technical details how to make it?



Technical details on how to make a fridge trailer? Let me get my fridge trailer calculator program out here...........ok. What is the model of the fridge......and what kind of hardware do you have. Yea right.....


Yea I just read that this thread it old......STOP POSTING IN THIS THREAD!!!......The guy who started it dosent even come here anymore.

Hi,

What are you - the moderator? Or just crazy? Why not give other people a chance to learn?
Regards
Hans

Originally posted by Hahs Staben
Hi,

What are you - the moderator? Or just crazy? Why not give other people a chance to learn?
Regards
Hans


Um.........you obviously dont get it.