Utility Cycling - Trailer (Wood)

Do to my lack of skills, tools, and recourses i have chosen to work with wood. Its based on the bamboo one that i saw online. length will be varied it doesn't have to be that long.

My problem is hitching it to the bike, and i though you could help. I would like to use the green way (from the left side of the rear triangle, seat and chain stays) but it needs to be really simple and strong.

For all those trailer users when you turn a hard right does the rear wheel hit the "connection" arm???
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailertest1.jpg

You may want to post in Bicycle mechanics about this.

But i thought that people that commute would use a trailer system so they might have more experience...

In the green version where is it hinged for side to side movement? I get the up and down movement is in the connection to the bike frame... but the other movement if near the actual frame of the trailer could spell disaster.

Why not go for a traditional ball and socket type connector. Maybe scavange something from some old lawnmower & trailer setup? You could always extend from the bottom tubes going backwards on each side then connect em behind the rear wheel and on that connector piece mount the ball for the hitch system. Then your trailer would be a little easier to build and all the up, down, left and right movement would be accounted for.

i see, you mean extend the mount behind the rear wheel. I will see what i can cook up lol,

maybe consider moving the axle of the trailer closer to the center of the trailer. Having the axle on the end means that the trailer only takes half the load, if that, when you place anything on there. The rest goes through your hitch into the bicycle frame. This in turn has negative effects on the handling / general feel of the bike.

I'd second the ball-joint connection option, although I've got a trailer with the seat-post connection and it's worked surprisingly well so far. I've got a rack and panniers and it sometimes gets hung up if I'm leaning one way while turning - I need to be pretty upright = pretty slow while towing the trailer.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

also, carfree forum would also be a good place to post - there's lots of trailer discussions there, and some DIY trailer threads too, I believe.

maybe consider moving the axle of the trailer closer to the center of the trailer. Having the axle on the end means that the trailer only takes half the load, if that, when you place anything on there. The rest goes through your hitch into the bicycle frame. This in turn has negative effects on the handling / general feel of the bike.

I'd second the ball-joint connection option, although I've got a trailer with the seat-post connection and it's worked surprisingly well so far. I've got a rack and panniers and it sometimes gets hung up if I'm leaning one way while turning - I need to be pretty upright = pretty slow while towing the trailer.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

also, carfree forum would also be a good place to post - there's lots of trailer discussions there, and some DIY trailer threads too, I believe.

Yep. This the latest one. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=316451

Great links.

The wheels will be in the center, i just modeled it like that to move the clutter way from my work area lol.

Gota find a socket of some sort now...

For all those trailer users when you turn a hard right does the rear wheel hit the "connection" arm???

I definitely get rear wheel-connection arm contact on very sharp right turns. I've never encountered this while actually riding though, only while manouevering the thing around in short spaces really.

I definitely get rear wheel-connection arm contact on very sharp right turns. I've never encountered this while actually riding though, only while manouevering the thing around in short spaces really.
That is what i wanted to hear. But i have altered my plans, and the trailer most likely will be hitched behind the rear wheel.

In case that i don't find the right joint i could use 2 u-bolts right?
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailetst12d-1.jpg

EDIT: i just noticed what you meant my carfree lol. Checking it out now.

In case that i don't find the right joint i could use 2 u-bolts right?
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailetst12d-1.jpg

EDIT: i just noticed what you meant my carfree lol. Checking it out now.

This makes me reeeeeally nervous. Just look at that huge lever you attached to your chainstay, now think about how lateral (sedeways) and vertical forces from your trailer are transferred at the hitch to that lever, now look at that poor old chainstay which was designed to be strongest in tension/compression but it will be forced to resist bending. It won't do a very good job, it will flex. The lever could touch the tire, or the chainstay could bend in to the spokes. Either way it will end badly. Honestly, I wouldn't do this even with a steel frame and a very light trailer, you have better options.

well where else? it looks like the biggest of trailers are attached to the rear triangle.

Still no hitch, but i got an idea for something bob yak related!
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

For all those trailer users when you turn a hard right does the rear wheel hit the "connection" arm???


I never had this happen while driving. I have a trek trailer. See how it attaches in the link:

http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=32&path=1%2C2%2C32&bShopOnline=0

The arm also has a plastic piece close to the skewer that also bends. Maybe this prevents it from hitting.

well where else? it looks like the biggest of trailers are attached to the rear triangle.

The connection point for a heavy trailer is at the rear wheel axle. The forces will be transferred to the frame at one of its strongest points. When the rear wheel is fitted to the bike the rear wheel axle becomes an integral part of the frame. Along with the seat tube, chainstays and seatstays you have a fully triangulated frame in every plane, it doesn't get any better than that for strength so long as you load the frame at one of its points not perpendicular to one of its members.

Have a look at this trailer hitch design...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=230076&highlight=trailer

More detail in this thread...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=316451&highlight=trailer

Alternatively you can create a triangular extension of the frame which is the method used by the BOB trailer. Building the connection points would be a little more challenging as they have to be very symmetrical to function properly.

Huh. I was reading through this thread and showing my wife. We've been looking at garage sales etc. and have never seen one.

On the way home from my ride this morning, I spotted one by the kerb. Busy washing it off, and will probably replace some of the bolts, and add a hard platform instead of the current fabric one.

It also has the top and the bars between the uprights.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/Sunstar_of_Cybertron/biketrailer.jpg

Oh, and there you can see the hitch - a short section which bolts to the chainstay, then the flexible bit, and then the long curved trailer bar.

Yeah i am trying to make an extension like the bob yak's off the rear axle, going out to get more of those metal things lol lets see how it goes.

now what... lol http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/needsitch1.jpg

maybe you could put a conestoga wagon wheel on it. The only thing about wood if it was pine it may warp as it ages thus giving a wobbly trailer. As personal prefrence I would try a man made material such as PVC.

In any other country i would use pvc, but here in finland, 1 i can barley find any, 2 its SOOOOOO over priced it hurts. The would im using is treated and all that its used for out door stuff so it should be good. And once its all done i will roll a layer of some preservative paint once im sure the trailer works.

In any other country i would use pvc, but here in finland, 1 i can barley find any, 2 its SOOOOOO over priced it hurts. The would im using is treated and all that its used for out door stuff so it should be good. And once its all done i will roll a layer of some preservative paint once im sure the trailer works.


Mechanically I'm of no help, but the bamboo trailer (http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html) site and the cargo bike and trailer (http://www.rideyourbike.com/cargo.html) have some diy and intructionals on trailer design.

I can build a trailer just fine, the only problem is the hitch, im taking an second look at those sites.

I went to pick up more wood, no ball socket. I guess i don't need it.

That site (not sure which one) linked with the attachment using two links of chain seems pretty good.

Gah! All this and now I'm interested in building a trailer (though I have no use for one at the moment).. ha!

I am building one cause i need it weekly (feels like its daily now). Cause im using my mom's or sister's bike to do shopping and haul larger loads, like 55l of fertilizer for the garden (if you wanna call it that).

its fine, but i wana use MY bikes lol i was just building the part that goes on the bike and it started raining, arg. and i got so far too (simple joys of using hand tools).

sis's
http://www.helkama100.fi/mediakuvat/ainotar.jpg

mom's
http://www.helkama100.fi/mediakuvat/comfort.jpg

Yeah, if I had to use it regularly for shopping or other stuff then it would definitely be a good way to go.

Huh. I was reading through this thread and showing my wife. We've been looking at garage sales etc. and have never seen one.

On the way home from my ride this morning, I spotted one by the kerb. Busy washing it off, and will probably replace some of the bolts, and add a hard platform instead of the current fabric one.

It also has the top and the bars between the uprights.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/Sunstar_of_Cybertron/biketrailer.jpg

Oh, and there you can see the hitch - a short section which bolts to the chainstay, then the flexible bit, and then the long curved trailer bar.
This might help you convert your trailer. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=311932

yeah i have read your thread a few times, one more time won't hurt. I really like how it turned out.
EDIT: i read your thread before going to the hardware store, they didn't have spring neither(or is it either?)!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a9/I_brad/biketrailerassy.jpg

Here's my work in progress so far- I'm doing the wood thing too 'cause I don't have access to welding equipment (one day!) and how the hell am I going to get steel from the suburbs downtown without at least one trailer to start with!

anyhow... as seen those are 700c wheels. Cargo area is 24 5/8 X 60" Total weight is 33lbs (and 8 of that is my junker wheels)

is 33lbs heavy? doesn't sound that heavy to me for a trailer that large... but I have no starting point of reference. I could make it lighter if I needed to I suppose (but I'd rather have stronger)

The only thing left to figure out is how to attach it to the bike. I'm planning on using a ball joint and clevis. I've seen various configurations with the ball joint part on either the bike or the trailer side... does it matter?

I did have a great idea to use the brackets from an old kickstand to make a bike mount... but then I realized that my heel would hit it :mad:

I plan to mount the wheels just an inch or so rearward of the center of gravity so I can put a kickstand or something similar on the front for easy loading when not attached to the bike.

I also plan to use quick-release for the wheels so the trailer will essentially fold down to 6" thick for storage

Thoughts? Comments? suggestions?

PS- this only exists on the computer at this point... so if you've got suggestions lemme know before I go further!

yeah i have read your thread a few times, one more time won't hurt. I really like how it turned out.
EDIT: i read your thread before going to the hardware store, they didn't have spring neither(or is it either?)!
Actually I was responding to Caspar_s (which is why I quoted him) I figured my experiences rehabbing a kiddie trailer would be of use to him.

Yeah i know, just saying...

Seems like the hitch is the catch when building a trailer.

I _bRAD, using such long pieces of thin wood might lead to lots of flexing even with you supporting pieces (maybe you need more).

I _bRAD, using such long pieces of thin wood might lead to lots of flexing even with you supporting pieces (maybe you need more).

I'm not sure I agree... All of the load is mostly in the center, and it's shared between four 1X3's arranged in an "L" shape. where do you think the weak point is?

Just as a thought....remembering a lot of projects my dad did. You don't need a welder if you deal with angle metal stock (either angle iron (steel) or aluminum. You need a hacksaw, file, electric drill, nuts, bolts (and lock washers lots of lock washers) also you can use electical conduit for items thatneed curves, like the draw bar. I know people have different reasons for using wood...but it metal is the first choice, don't let lack of a welder slow you down.

Well i did it, i built a one wheel trailer, THAT SUCKS. You can watch the creaking videos if you want... just to show how badly it went. I will start building the 2 wheel version asap. (used my phone, didn't wanna pull out the cam.)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailerv1sucks/Image003.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailerv1sucks/Image002.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/trailerv1sucks/Image001.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/th_b67dcf3c.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/?action=view&current=b67dcf3c.flv)
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/th_8fe806d2.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/diff_lock_cr-v_awd/?action=view&current=8fe806d2.flv)

Lol, why build a one-wheel trailer? Just for testing purposes? It seems like with 2 wheels that could be quite decent.

yeah i was just testing the concept. 2 wheels for sure.