where would one get the wheels for building a bike trailer? are there companies that sell the hitches?
i'm thinking of building a 4 wheel model with the front wheels being able to turn. although, maybe it would be wiser to stick with two wheels. (i'll be using it to go to the home dept a mile or so away... and for groceries too.) if i stuck with two wheels, it would probably end up as a wooden version of the bikes at work trailer, just much cheaper. so, i guess the real problems are the hitch and the wheels... where and which ones do i get?

My favorite place for wheels and materials are dumpsters and council cleanups. you can buy wheels at your bike shop, and materials to build a trailer at your hardware/building supplies shops. I think some trailer companies sell their hitch mechanisms as spare parts but they're usually an expensive option. I've always built my own.

How handy are you? what sort of tools do you have access to? Once you know what tools and materials you have then you can design your trailer within their limitations - no use designing a hitch that requires plasma cutting and CNC machining if all you have a basic woodworking hand tools.

so, i guess the real problems are the hitch and the wheels... where and which ones do i get?
That's it exactly. Unless you are pretty handy with tools and doing things yourself, your best bet would be to pick up a used trailer. They frequently sell for about $50 for an Instep or a Bell, but I think the hitches on the Burleys might be better and a Burley might cost a little more.

On the other hand, a DIY trailer would be a work of art.

This site (http://bikecart.pedalpeople.com/) gives instructions on building a trailer. Unfortunately, I lack the knowledge, equipment, and skill required to follow the instructions. But maybe you could use them.

i should clarify the wheel problem. it's more a problem of what wheels and how to attach them.

i should clarify the wheel problem. it's more a problem of what wheels and how to attach them.

I use 20 inch and 26 inch wheels because they meet my structural integrity requirements, are readily available. Tires and tubes are also readily available.

This is my chassis during construction...

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN4146.jpg

To fit wheels to a wooden trailer you need to distribute the load along a structural member. Here's details on how I did mine....

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN4235.jpg

The hitch is my design. I've used this design on a number of trailers with different applications, its a good design but requires some welding. I bolted it to an aluminum angle mount I designed specifically for this wooden trailer so as to distribute the forces to the chassis correctly....

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN3776.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN4240.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN4242.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN4239.jpg

I've hauled over 200 lb on this trailer with no issues.

If you don't mind a seatpost hitch, folks here say that a piece of old tyre looped round the seatpost and fastened through your trailer arm works well.

As far as wheels are concerned, I got found an old bmx bike on craigslist for $10 and used the wheels off of that and then gave away the frame. The wheels needed new tires and tubes which I picked uo for about $20 at Dick's Sporting goods. I normally wouldn't shop there for bike stuff but it was the cheapest I could find. I'll post pictures of my trailer including the hitch on my "bamboo trailer" post soon, been too busy.

This link for a DIY trailer has a DIY hitch made of chain too.

http://www.bikesacrossborders.org/diy/trailer.html

This link for a DIY trailer has a DIY hitch made of chain too.

http://www.bikesacrossborders.org/diy/trailer.html

Great link. Thanks. Are you involved with Rhizome and the bikes Across Borders Project?

No, but I volunteer at Austin Yellow Bike (http://www.austinyellowbike.org/), kind of an allied org. We do pretty much the same thing, but locally.

Small wheels from hardware stores and even walmart. Bike wheels come from crusing suburbia ahead of the trash truck on trash day. The middle class and the poor throw away good stuff.
Check this site for a cheap, easy trailer. Doesn't have to be bamboo which cost more that metal here.
http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html

I use 20 inch and 26 inch wheels because they meet my structural integrity requirements, are readily available. Tires and tubes are also readily available.

This is my chassis during construction...


Certainly an inspiration! I like your design. I built a trailer last year out of conduit, but the thing was such a mess... It would be easier to build a wood frame and create drops like yours.

However, the hitch sounds like it would require some strong welding skills, which I lack.

Also... just thinking here... wouldn't the hitch be a lot stronger if it were connected to the seat and chains stays rather than the hub?

Certainly an inspiration! I like your design.
Thanks:)

I built a trailer last year out of conduit, but the thing was such a mess... It would be easier to build a wood frame and create drops like yours.
I've never liked those conduit designs, I think they're just too flimsy to safely carry any worthwhile payload. For a similar ammount of effort and skill you can build a much sturdier chassis in wood.

However, the hitch sounds like it would require some strong welding skills, which I lack.
Only basic welding on that one. You can prep all the bits and take it into any place that welds (most auto body repair shops, etc) they'd be able to weld it in a few minutes.

Also... just thinking here... wouldn't the hitch be a lot stronger if it were connected to the seat and chains stays rather than the hub?
Good question. The answer is yes.... and no :D it depends on the frame. No if its an alu or cf frane, maybe if its a steel frame. Consider that you'd be clamping to relatively thin walled tubes and stressing them in their weakest plane. The QR or axle is actually an exellent point to place the load, alternatively I would prefer a seat post clamp arrangement like a trail-a-bike before going to a seat/chain stay clamp.

where would one get the wheels for building a bike trailer? are there companies that sell the hitches?
i'm thinking of building a 4 wheel model with the front wheels being able to turn. although, maybe it would be wiser to stick with two wheels. (i'll be using it to go to the home depot a mile or so away... and for groceries too.) ....
If you want a high-weight-capacity 4-wheel trailer, I think the best thing to do is go buy a gardening wagon at Lowes or Home Depot, and just make a new handle and hitch for it. These wagons are kinda heavy--40-50 lbs or so empty,,,, but they have a LOT of nice features if you can stand the weight. Sides that flip down or remove, the bed and sides are made of steel mesh, the wheels have ball bearings in them and their stated weight capacities are often over 1000 lbs (which I think is more than a little optimistic) but it's safe to say they're weight limits are usually far beyond anything you'd want to pull with a bicycle. The wheels don't stick up above the cargo bed level, so you can strap BIG items to it that are much larger than the cargo bed.

They're also cost much less than anything comparable you can likely build yourself: where I live Lowes sells a wagon like this that's 24 x 48 inches, for $80. If you look around online, you will see that you would spend at least ~$20 each just for the wheels. Judging from the prices I see at my local metals supplier, the steel alone for this wagon would cost you well more than $80, unless you used scrap/salvage. There's quite a bit of welding on this thing, and even if you have your own welder, doing that costs money too.

It's not listed on the Lowe's website, but the one I've seen looks like this one:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311443_200311443
-only the Lowe's one is $79, and it's painted yellow. The steering linkages seemed a bit loose, but fatter bolts could tighten them up a bit.

Also--part of the reason that I like the idea of a 4-wheel cargo trailer is that you can use it separately of your bike. ...Although you probably want to spray-paint it a different color before going back to Lowe's with it. ;)
~

I've never liked those conduit designs, I think they're just too flimsy to safely carry any worthwhile payload. For a similar ammount of effort and skill you can build a much sturdier chassis in wood.

The wooden chassis has a one advantage for the DIY builder: It is much easier to work with wood, tools are more common, than conduit (where you need to obtain a bender and then learn how to bend). It is easier to attached the dropout mechanism for the wheels (as you have done above...).

The big downside for wood, though, is weight. I would think the wooden trailer would be at least 5 pounds heavier. Although an extra 5 pounds would not be a show stopper to my mind.

Sounds like a great winter project. :)

Conduit benders are really easy to learn to use, and conduit is very strong.

Conduit benders are not a common tool, but it is only one tool.

With wood, attaching a secure trailer-tongue struck me as the biggest challenge.

While I admire the homebuilt jobs I'm glad I just rehabbed a kiddie trailer.

The wooden chassis has a one advantage for the DIY builder: It is much easier to work with wood, tools are more common, than conduit (where you need to obtain a bender and then learn how to bend). It is easier to attached the dropout mechanism for the wheels (as you have done above...).
Yes, agreed.


The big downside for wood, though, is weight. I would think the wooden trailer would be at least 5 pounds heavier. Although an extra 5 pounds would not be a show stopper to my mind.
It may be a little heavier for the same overall size (maybe), but if properly designed & built you'll easily have a sturdier trailer that will carry a greater payload.

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.

49035 49036

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.

49035 49036

Sweet! What a great idea. I can't wait to see how the tongue and hitch come out. :)

[QUOTE=John Lesar]This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch./QUOTE]

I'm on my way to buy a ladder. Thanks.

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.

49035 49036
That is a work of art...

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.
This is beautiful, John. Of course the frippery-loving female in me can imagine painting the rungs different colors and such. :D

Nice design, great idea!

I am also very interested in seeing how you build your hitch. Can you post pictures of the detail of how you connected the peices and taached the wheels?

Thanks

Kevin

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.

49035 49036

I like that idea too...even has its own two feet to stand on:D I want to see the hitch too. We red tag and destroy 2-5 long ladders a year and these are the serious Type I or IA ladders, I see a long term supply chain:p

Aaron:)

This is how far i got on my bob yak wanabe, no hitch yet (in the works) its a bit top heavy, i am hoping a hitch will fix that...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailer1/Image007.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailer1/Image006.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailer1/Image005.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailer1/Image004.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailer1/Image003.jpg

Note the second 24" wheel in the back, i was going to build a 2 wheel trailer... maybe later.

where do you get front wheels for cheap?

where do you get front wheels for cheap?

Try your local thrift shop. I bought a whole MTB (Univega Rover T2.7) for $18. I stripped it to the frame and transferred the (not great but better than I had) components to my "cargo bike". Hey, what the hey, it's still an upgrade. And for $18 I got aluminum wheels to replace the steel, trigger shifters to replace the really crappy SIS, "new" break levers, 7 speed caseette to replace the 6, and tires that weren't cracked and dry rotted. Just keep an eye out, be patient and you will have the world at your feet.

Check out Wike Trailers. They sell kits of various sorts including a choice of wheel sets. I would want to buy something specifically designed for bicycle use and make sure to use a hitch system that has been road tested by a lot of different riders. You can probably get as fancy about the frame and base as your wallet and ability to haul allows, but the wheels should be specifically dsigned for bike use.

Check out Wike Trailers. Their DIY kit is not too $$$$ and they give you a choice of wheels. I would recommend going with bicycle specific equipment for durability and road-worthiness. Also, you definitely want a hitch design that has been road tested on lots of bikes and riding styles. Wike's hitch sustem is pretty good, but the Croozer sytem is better. Simple, strong, and durable.

LOVE that ladder trailer....i'm off to the scrapyard now to scavenge a ladder!

Nice design, great idea!

I am also very interested in seeing how you build your hitch. Can you post pictures of the detail of how you connected the peices and taached the wheels?

Thanks

Kevin

MORE PICS PLEASE!! The ladder trailers kicks assssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

LOVE that ladder trailer....i'm off to the scrapyard now to scavenge a ladder!
Just a thought....
I dunno about where you live, but an ALUMINUM ladder would never stay in the junkyard very long in my town! Someone would soon take it to an aluminum-recycling place, where it would get ground up into bits.

You may have to buy at a garage sale, like the other guy did.
~

Yesterday I "dumpster dived" or assisted my local sanitation company by removing excess waste from the curb side. A house had thrown out 5 alum. crutches. When I get done selling off my excess bicycles I am going to look into making them a trailer. I can see how they could be set up like a bob trailer or a extra pannier carrier.

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.

49035 49036

Truly nice! I admire your design.:D

This is a trailer I am working on. I used a garage sale aluminum ladder and some Ebay wheels. Still need to finish the tongue and hitch.

49035 49036

Very cool

http://www.re-cycle.org/trailer/

I want to either build this or have it built over the summer. Hoping to find someone in the cycling community here with a welder I can assist. If not, I may just get the last few bike parts I need and have a welding shop do it. I'm wondering if I can use the 20 inch BMX wheels on this.