Utility Cycling - The post your trailer thread.

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View Full Version : The post your trailer thread.


mantic
10-01-10, 10:22 AM
Started with a Trek Kid's Trailer. Added wooden deck lined with Aluminum rails. Built last weekend to haul my tools around. I used tie up a Tool Chest with Wheels behind me. Rode that till the wheels literally fell off. I had made another trailer from a shopping cart and wheelchair. A bit heavy and tracking was off. Decided to try a single wheel trailer based on thoughts and ideas garnered from this site (thanks). Seems to be working out ok, so far.
Started with a 24" wheel, but have changed it to a 20".
I want to add electric motor in the future to it.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5028128867_1d1894fff5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31115548@N07/5028128867/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5024903172_1f32924c03.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31115548@N07/5024903172/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5041520763_2b1e35a490.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31115548@N07/5041520763/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5041521707_08369b00dc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31115548@N07/5041521707/)


Silverexpress
10-01-10, 12:09 PM
Now that's an awesome idea cuz it's simple to implement. I think yours is the very first example I've seen.

dzrthauler
10-01-10, 04:02 PM
Wow, some of you folks seem to have a lot of time and $$ on your hands to make trailers and make more trailers... must be nice. Me, I have to work, no more play time for trailers after I built mine - seriously, must be nice.


Bicycle Funk
10-01-10, 05:40 PM
So much useful creativity. Great job everyone!

Sixty Fiver
10-02-10, 11:10 PM
Got creative with my free trailer today...

Before...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/mectrailer2.JPG

After... the 100 litre container dropped in perfectly between the axle mounts.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/mectrailerv2a.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/mectrailerv2b.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/mectrailerv2c.JPG

Wheeloptions
10-09-10, 11:29 PM
Here is my last winter's trailer project made mainly from a rigid titanium wheelchair frame flipped upside down, chopped, & with a 250 lb. rated axle tube moved around. It has quick release axles, some aluminum frame extensions, and a small amount of steel at the tip. Empty weight is about 8.5 lbs., and I usually haul my tool case and laptop all totalling about 75 lbs.

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/0328101151.jpg

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/0328101152.jpg

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/0328101149b.jpg

Sixty Fiver
10-09-10, 11:32 PM
That is awesome !

Gyeswho
10-16-10, 08:57 AM
I really think it's cool how you guys made some of your trailers. I would be so excited to make my own if I had to equipments to do a "pro" build. Fer now, I'm quite satisfied with my bikes at work trailer. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5084104719_5c9d112421_b.jpg

Wheeloptions
10-17-10, 08:14 PM
Hey Sixty Fiver, thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure this quite qualifies as a trailer, but it is trailered anyway. My girlfriend can't steer and pedal at the same time, so this takes care of the steering. The handcycle has been modified quite a bit for positioning and gearing for higher than normal road speeds for a handcycle. The hitch itself is a little hard to see, but it does pivot up & down on 4 bearings at the foot cages, and I used 1/2" flexible pvc for a universal joint. This hitch is constructed entirely of steel components for safety, and with 15 degree camber on the rear wheels it's quite stable.


http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/DSC04713.jpg


http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/DSC04714.jpg

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/DSC04716.jpg
174224174225174223

Oscuro
10-20-10, 01:25 AM
Here is my last winter's trailer project made mainly from a rigid titanium wheelchair frame flipped upside down, chopped, & with a 250 lb. rated axle tube moved around. It has quick release axles, some aluminum frame extensions, and a small amount of steel at the tip. Empty weight is about 8.5 lbs., and I usually haul my tool case and laptop all totalling about 75 lbs.



....Awesome. I love the design, simple, functional, and highly versatile.
If I ever get deeper into photography and need a equipment trailer (dreaming....let me dream!) This looks looks like on of the best ways to tow a lot of stuff, or something similar to this anyways.

Wheeloptions
10-20-10, 09:54 PM
Hi Oscuro, thanks for the compliment. Used wheelchair parts are great for building things with. I had thought about building a level bed trailer using independent quick release axle assemblies, but decided I didn't need the loading area. I considered the parts shown below that happen to be from Sunrise Medical catalogs, and the axle parts as pairs are usually rated in the 250 pound range. I used a previous version of the ultra lite spoke wheel assembly on my trailer. It was available as used, weighs very little, and runs 24x1" Primo clincher tires @ 110psi. Wheelchair wheels are almost always radially spoked for lateral stiffness. Maybe your local wheelchair shop could source you some cheap or even free used parts?

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/CurvedAxlePlate.jpg

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/QuickReleaseAxles.jpg

http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/UltraLiteSpokeWheel.jpg

mantic
10-26-10, 09:33 PM
Wow, some of you folks seem to have a lot of time and $$ on your hands to make trailers and make more trailers... must be nice. Me, I have to work, no more play time for trailers after I built mine - seriously, must be nice.

I wish I had more money I could then afford a car here in the city to haul my tools around :)
The bike I found in a basement on a job I was doing. The tires needed patching, some cleaning up and a part here and there. The trailer I got from a bike rental place that was selling off old stock for $50. The rest of the materials I got from the scrap heap.
I've managed to haul all kinds of things around on it. I tied an air compressor on wheels behind it without he trailer loaded up. Carried 2 ten foot lengths of 4" PVC on it. I regularly haul around 50-75lb of tools hung in cases and bags off the sides.
The only shortcoming is that I can't move loads like a 5 gallon bucket of paint. The center of gravity is too high. I'm planning on building a two wheeler or a single wheel with a the wheel trailing the payload area.
I haven't been a bike rider much in my life, but I'm now exercising the potential of pedal power.

Sixty Fiver
10-26-10, 09:47 PM
http://wheeloptions.tripod.com/trucktrailer/DSC04713.jpg

This is a whole new level of awesomeness.

bloompedal08
10-27-10, 06:46 PM
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a283/Allentown/leroypull.jpg

JonnyM
10-29-10, 10:48 AM
Hey all, I just joined and thought I'd post a picture of my rig.

'96 Marin Pine Mountain, converted to an xtracycle a couple of years back. Attached is a 1st generation bikes at work trailer purchased off craigslist from a contractor who used to run his business entirely by bike!

The photo is on the bank of the Charles River outside of Cambridge and the total length with the boat is about 25 feet--much fun to ride through Harvard Square!

Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful trailers and some incredibly inventive designs!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_U_2DaXJ_NNM/TMW38saqo5I/AAAAAAAAAWI/BsDPilwy30Y/s800/IMG_0577.JPG

Charlie_R
10-30-10, 05:10 AM
looks good!

Wheeloptions
10-30-10, 10:18 AM
Like the boat trailer, looks great !

Nd2Roam
11-02-10, 03:10 PM
M-Wave experiment.

I'm new to bicycle camping but have gone several times this past Fall on a local rails to trails system. I purchased the Nashbar trailer but on its second trip the skewer snapped forcing me to push it like a handle-less wheel barrow with one arm and my bike with the other for over 3 miles. Fortunately I was able to return it for a refund (which I'm yet to see but it's only been a few days). So, while shopping for options I came across the M-Wave trailer but could find very little information or reviews.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2wfl3ev.jpg

They sell in the 200 - 220 range and when I saw Meijer had them on sale for $120 with an October free shipping code I decided to give it a try and these are my first observations.

The box arrived pretty beat up, as if it had been shuffled around in a warehouse for a long time.
http://i56.tinypic.com/11wa3vs.jpg

It had quite a few rub marks and tiny flecks of rust here and there which may explain the price. I'm still pleased enough to not return the trailer, if it hadn't been $80 off I would.
http://i53.tinypic.com/29vgrhv.jpg

Now to shed some weight. I weighed myself (on old analog bathroom scales) holding the trailer and wheels and concluded it weighed 31 lbs.. Then I took the top rails off to convert it to a flat bed dry bag & fishing tackle hauler and the rails weighed 8lbs.. So, if my scales and math are correct, the trailer weighs about 23lbs topless.
http://i53.tinypic.com/2zquh5e.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/alhxdg.jpg

The trailer arm is tucked under it, it doesn't appear to come with any form of quick release hitch. Also, the floor is made from a very stout plastic which seems to be sturdy enough. I'll post a road / trail test when I get the chance.

Sixty Fiver
11-02-10, 10:17 PM
This trailer is proving to be very versatile... used it during a food bank drive on Sunday night and was shuttling loads back and forth to the drop point all night.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/fooddriveforrest.JPG

katcorot
11-03-10, 02:10 AM
This trailer is proving to be very versatile... used it during a food bank drive on Sunday night and was shuttling loads back and forth to the drop point all night.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/fooddriveforrest.JPG

I just love what you get done with that folder! I know quite a few people who think there only purpose is riding to the office and maybe light errands. Good to see proper examples of what they are really capable of!

Sixty Fiver
11-03-10, 03:02 PM
I just love what you get done with that folder! I know quite a few people who think there only purpose is riding to the office and maybe light errands. Good to see proper examples of what they are really capable of!

People are always asking me... "is it fast", "how much can you carry", "won't those wheels break"... :)

Top speed for the night was 40kmh (it isn't geared to go much faster then this), carried as much as 100 pounds in the trailer, and I have put over 3000 km on those wheels this year... they have never needed any truing.

It is great for towing that trailer... the low COG of the bike really adds to the overall stability and I should have hooked it up to an 8 foot trailer as it would pull those just s easily.

boblaker
11-05-10, 05:07 AM
Just finished modifying my kids old trailer into a cargo trailer. Used kiln dried, pressure treated bench slats (heavy). Hardest part was the hitch. Used this forum for all the ideas. Thanks.
176931176932176933176934

ezdoesit
11-26-10, 09:03 AM
Hi Everyone,
Happy Thanksgiving.
I would like to know if anyone here has any knowledge of this trailer or it's company seen here
http://www.aosom.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=46
I am thinking of buying this trailer for groceries and laundry runs.
Any help and suggestions are much appreciated and thank you for your time.:):):)

Stu In Tokyo
12-09-10, 06:20 AM
As winter has come here in Japan, and the days are getting shorter, I decided that it was time to put some lights on my trailer, people just simply do NOT see the darn thing:eek:
I've had some near misses where people see the bike and me, but then step out expecting the space behind the bike to be empty.... SURPRISE..... As it is now dark when I do most of my deliveries, I figured I'd try to stay ahead of the game and put some stupid bright flashing lights on the trailer....

181564
Not that impressive in the still pics, so I took a short video....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbbcESRP6MI

I hope that people can see me now :D

Daddo
12-11-10, 09:08 AM
". . . I figured I'd try to stay ahead of the game and put some stupid bright flashing lights on the trailer...."

Stu:

The lights on your trailer look great. I am just at the point of selecting a lighting system for my newest cargo trailer. While I have quite a few reflectors mounted on the wheels and frame, I have already had a few close encounters with some of our numb and unaware drivers here in the Daytona Beach area of Florida.

Adiós, Daddo --- Daytona Beach, Florida - USA
"Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muß man schweigen." ("What we cannot speak of we must pass over in silence.")

Daddo
12-11-10, 09:34 AM
I just finished the third iteration of a bicycle cargo trailer. I have been relying almost completely on my bicycles for commuting for the past 11 months, but it annoyed me that I needed to use one of my cars for grocery shopping.

My first two trailers were conversions of aluminum framed child carriers, I sold the last of these two years ago. For this newest version, I wanted to step out of the box a bit and go for a different design concept. I also wanted to prove that almost anyone can build a serviceable cargo trailer almost entirely of scrounged parts and materials. In fact, the only things I purchased for this project were two 10' lengths of 1/2" EMT and 5 "U" bolts in two different sizes.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER030.jpg

The wooden frame of the cargo bed was constructed entirely from the boards taken from a discarded queen sized" box spring. I am not counting the several hand-fulls of screws, a few bolts and some paint that was living in my garage.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER024.jpg

I built two 26" wheels on reconditioned and painted rims. The wheels are suspended by two matching front forks (obtained from the dumpster of a larger bike shop that sells a lot of suspension forks - and tosses the originals). The forks are connected at three points to the wooden cargo bed.

Uh, yeah. There are a nine reflectors on each of the wheels. If you have ever shared the roads here in Florida with the little blue haired old ladies, you will understand completely. Most of the wooden frame is painted with four coats of a green enamel exterior trim paint. The two natural wood rails a are simply protected by some clear coat polyurethane (no particular reason for this other then I like the way it looks). The forks are protected by three coats of carefully brushed on (and thinned) Rustolium paint.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER027.jpg

So why did I use 1/2" EMT instead of the more commonly used 3/4"?? Simple, because of the three tube, truss design, the larger tubing would have been overkill. You will notice that the center tube is bent to contact the trailer at a point that is just about 5-1/2" below the level of the two outside tubes. This design really minimizes any flexing at the point where the tubes contact the cargo bed. The layering of salvaged wood is evident in this shot. Of course, commercially supplied 2"x 3" lumber would have been simpler, but that was not part of the "salvaged materials" plan.

To mate the 1/2" EMT to the larger diameter inner dimension of the fork head tubes, I found that straight sections cut from a set of old beach bars were the perfect solution. The bar sections provided a snug fit into the fork tubes, and the EMT was a great fit into the handle bar sections. All three were pinned in place via a drilled hole and some sheet metal screws on either side.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER047.jpg

Not the best of photos, but you can see the chromed motorcycle frame clamp on the inside leg of the fork. It is secured into the third (from the front) wooden cross support via a 5" lag bolt with spacer washers.

Now for the hitch. For any bicycle trailer, a flexible hitch is very important. Not only to allow the bicycle it's full range of ridding attitudes, but also to prevent a trailer upset from taking down the bike and rider.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER045.jpg

This hitch is a variation of the version I used for my last trailer. it offers a three axis rotation, and of course it is of the quick release design. It is designed around a compressed air, quick release fitting.

On the bike side of this assembly, the air fitting is mounted to a dolly wheel caster (with the wheel removed and saved for some other project. This method allows about a 270 degree horizontal rotation plane and about a 60 degree vertical rotation when the hitch is mounted in the seat post area of a bike. The air fitting itself provides an additional 360 degree rotational plane. Inserted into the upper tube is the male section of the quick release air fitting. Because of the bended tube design, the "upper tube" shown in this photo, is actually the lower tube where it attaches to the cargo bed.

I wanted a "clean" looking mount so it is inserted inside of the EMT tube.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER055.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER054.jpg

It should be noted that just using the short "male" fitting portion, would be insufficient for a secure attachment to the trailer. What I did was tap the inside of the male fitting with 5/16" threads. Then I screwed a 5/16"x 4-1/2" bolt into the male fitting. After taking down the "points" of the bolt and air fitting hex heads, I slid (ah . .tapped lightly with a hammer) the bolt and fitting inside the EMT tube. Having carefully measured the dimensions, I drilled down through the tubing and tapped a screw into the flats of the internal bolt. . . it is NOT going to pull out.

Going with my "use what you have concept", I already was using the seat tube carrier rack, so I fabricated a clamp that would secure the dolly wheel assembly to the support frame of the rack, Four stainless bolts, nuts and washers took care of that job with an assist from a piece of 1/4" hard aluminum stock. The trailer design requires a center mount on the bike, although I used essentially the same type of hitch on a sidebar pulled trailer the last time around. All I did then was to fabricate a mount on the left rear wheel stays.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/LarryCFL/cARGOtRAILER020.jpg

This photo illustrates the trailer with a 48 quart cooler mounted on the deck. This changes depending on what I need to carry, and I have occasionally used a large duffel bag mounted in front of the cooler for dry goods. I also have a super-large Rubbermaid Roughneck storage tote that fills the entire bed of the trailer,

If you have any questions, email me and I'll try to answer them DaddoCFL@Gmail.com

Stu In Tokyo
12-11-10, 10:53 AM
Daddo, that is an impressive build, lots of attention to detail!

Gareth
12-11-10, 11:21 AM
That is an impressive trailer build.

Just one question; Is the airline coupling that you used a Schrader type male & female coupling? With Schrader airline couplings you have to twist the body a 1/4 turn to release the two halves ...... a much better, safer and more secure system than using the normal PCL "Pull back" type quick release airline fittings.

I use Schrader couplings exclusively up at the workshop on my compressed air system as they are less likely to be accidentally released as the airlines are dragged across the floor, bench and work pieces, etc.

Daddo
12-11-10, 12:34 PM
Hey Stu: Thank you for the kind feedback.

Daddo
12-11-10, 12:39 PM
Hey Gareth:

No, it is not a Schrader type of fitting, but rather the normal PCL "Pull back" type quick release. For the loads that I carry on this and my previous trailer it has proved to be sufficient. I will look into the Schrader version though.

Since these photos had been taken, one of the additions has been a reworking of the three "U" bolt clamps on the draw bar and the addition of a security/breakaway cable that attaches to the seat post.

Thanks for the feedback.

BossCat
12-11-10, 08:46 PM
As winter has come here in Japan, and the days are getting shorter, I decided that it was time to put some lights on my trailer, people just simply do NOT see the darn thing:eek:
I've had some near misses where people see the bike and me, but then step out expecting the space behind the bike to be empty.... SURPRISE..... As it is now dark when I do most of my deliveries, I figured I'd try to stay ahead of the game and put some stupid bright flashing lights on the trailer....

I hope that people can see me now :D

Forgive me if I sound dumb but im really confused by that statement!!

So you get around there stepping out.... SURPRISE by putting lights on the BACK of the trailer?

Ouch! WTF was that!?! Oh iv'e just been ran over by something that I didn't see behind that bike! Its ok I can see it now iv'e been ran over and its on its way up the street, it was a bike trailer. I cant tell by those big red flashing lights... :D

If stepping out is a problem then you need to put some little white flasher lights on the FRONT (each side) of the trailer so people can see it behind your bike and not step out too soon.
Sorry if im nit picking but iv'e just had one of those days and I need a rant :p

Nice trailer BTW, I like the way you have incorporated the trailer brake. :thumb:

Regards
Tom

Stu In Tokyo
12-12-10, 04:27 AM
Forgive me if I sound dumb but im really confused by that statement!!

So you get around there stepping out.... SURPRISE by putting lights on the BACK of the trailer?

Ouch! WTF was that!?! Oh iv'e just been ran over by something that I didn't see behind that bike! Its ok I can see it now iv'e been ran over and its on its way up the street, it was a bike trailer. I cant tell by those big red flashing lights... :D

If stepping out is a problem then you need to put some little white flasher lights on the FRONT (each side) of the trailer so people can see it behind your bike and not step out too soon.
Sorry if im nit picking but iv'e just had one of those days and I need a rant :p

Nice trailer BTW, I like the way you have incorporated the trailer brake. :thumb:

Regards
Tom

Imagine a corner, the ped is walking South along a sidewalk, I come out of a side street going West to East, they pause waiting for me on my bicycle to pass in front of them, when the bicycle has passed the start to step out into the assumed empty space behind my bicycle, and are SHOCKED to find out that said space is occupied by a trailer. The flashing red lights are an attempt to catch their eye before they step into my moving trailer. Yes flashing red lights on the front corners and side would be better, as well as a whooping siren, but I have to draw the line at some point :D

fenderbender
12-13-10, 09:43 AM
Please stop this 'flashing light craze'! It's not only very anoying for others and make it more difficult to see were one's going. It also harder to accurately judge the distance/position of the source. So in effect it create a more unsafe environment for all!

Daddo
12-13-10, 05:58 PM
Please stop this 'flashing light craze'! It's not only very anoying for others and make it more difficult to see were one's going. It also harder to accurately judge the distance/position of the source. So in effect it create a more unsafe environment for all!

While I have considered your opinion I need to join the multitude of transportation safety experts who disagree with you.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has made a change to its auto safety rule, which requires the steady illumination of vehicle lights. This was because Mercedes had demonstrated that its flashing brake lights improve car safety by preventing rear-end crashes. The feature is already available in Europe in Mercedes S-class and CL-class cars.

I have used flashing brake lights on my motorcycles for years since it is a proven fact that they have the ability to break through the reverie that so many motor vehicle operators seem to find themselves in while driving.

I will be adding a set of four flashing LED lights to my trailer for use at night.

fenderbender
12-20-10, 01:34 PM
Your example applies to fast vehicles and for a brief moment to signal a change in speed and direction. You do not have constant flashing lights on the car do you? This discussion is a bout a much slower bicycle and for this reason flashing lights is only allowed In EU at a interval of 200/min and ONLY in the rear and ONLY because they've tried to harmonise various different national rules! If you've ever been riding behind a bike with flashing light for any length of time you'd know how frustrating it is! Any rider using flashing light during a brevé/century are either thrown out of the pack or bullied until he either change settings or ride in the back and for very good reason! Meeting a cyclist with flashing front lights is even more of a nightmare and illegal in the EU. The reason is the same, the eye cant adjust and therefore unable make out the space in front of you as well as the position of the oncoming cyclist. I had a very near miss just the other week and made sure that 'plunker' got the message!

Gareth
12-21-10, 11:13 AM
I am being a little cheeky here posting a photo that my friends over at cyclemagic have posted of a tandem and trailer that they have just built:


182987


here is a link to the cyclemagic website; Cyclemagic (http://www.cyclemagic.org.uk/)

rapattack
01-02-11, 07:39 AM
This is my ebike and i have a home made trailor. I didn't make the trailor and need help to how to attach it to the ebike.

OK i think i have attached all the files now of the trailor and the parts of the bike it should attach to. I just don't know.

Gareth
01-02-11, 09:38 AM
OK, I know my trailer has an "over the wheel" drawbar:

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m230/Gareth_Lewis/Bicycles%20and%20bits/Garethtempfile277.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m230/Gareth_Lewis/Bicycles%20and%20bits/Garethtempfile266.jpg

I use a 10 mm diameter quick attach industrial ball joint for the trailer hook up, these are reasonably priced and readily available from Engineering supply companies.

http://www.springfix.co.uk/sectionpdfs/quick-release-&-other-joints.pdf type R3535

There is absolutely no reason why these ball joints can not be fixed to the bicycle's chainstay by using a piece of angle iron cut and shaped to suit with hand tools and fixed with suitably sized U bolts.

Tomorrow I will make a chainstay bracket to use with a ball joint and photograph the process to show you exactly what I mean.

rapattack
01-03-11, 02:07 AM
Hmmmm ok never seen anything like that. I have never heard of an engineering shop either. I will just have to get creative. I have so many pieces of things in my tool box. I should come up with something. I will have to detach the trailor everytime i come home and hang it up anyway as there is no other space for it. Thanks you have my mind clicking over all sorts of possibilities :0)
I love your trailor by the way and was relieved to hear that the heaviness of my actual trailor would not be an issue. I thought it would be hard for me to haul because of my ill health.
Oh i have another question which way should i put the trailor? Are the sockets that hold the wheels supposed to be up or down. Not sure if you know what i mean. And what side of the back wheel of the bike should i attach it to?
:thumb:

Stu In Tokyo
01-11-11, 08:50 PM
An update on my trailer, I've been using the heck out of it and have had zero problems, until yesterday.... :rolleyes:

My fault, of course:rolleyes: The part of the hitch that looks like a tie-rod end, well when I ordered one from the Japanese website, I mixed up the kanji for right and left, and I got one that had a left hand thread inside it :o I drilled it out a bit and then stuck the right hand threaded bolt I had already made into it, to keep it in place, I drilled a hole through the hole thing and put a bolt in there.
185713

185711

185712
185710
So by weakening the structure and then putting a hold through it, well it gave up the ghost on me. Luckily, it happened just after I had dropped off 3 large cases of beer at a customer's place, so no harm done but to my ego.:lol:

I had the right part on hand, as I had ordered it as soon as I realized my error. I had everything fixed and ready to roll in under an hour:thumb:

Cheers!

rapattack
01-11-11, 09:19 PM
Wow that is nasty damage. Glad you were able to fix it!!!

Stu In Tokyo
01-11-11, 09:41 PM
It was a weak link, and I knew about it and I should have fixed it sooner, but you know, life gets in the way sometimes...

I'm just very glad it happened with the trailer empty!!

rapattack
01-11-11, 11:08 PM
Yep that life. Also glad you weren't going down a hill or in traffic!
I made a mistake yesterday and accelerated, didn't put my foot on the pedal properly and scraped all the back of the ankle....ouch.

Stu In Tokyo
01-12-11, 02:59 AM
Oh bugger...... :notamused:

The neck part of my trailer, where it connects to the trailer has busted.

When I came back from a delivery (another heavy one) I felt the back of the trailer hitting on just about every curb etc on they way, this was odd as it does not usually hit. When I parked the unit, the back of the trailer was almost touching the ground...Huh??

Turns out that the tongue was only just attached, one was busted right off :(
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This is the one that is still just barely attached.

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here is the one on the right that is busted right off :twitchy:

As you can see in this pic.....
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... it is busted right off....

I guess this is all part of making something from scratch, testing it to the point of failure over time :rolleyes:

Well now what to do, I might just try to reinforce with a gusset what I have there, or I might rethink the whole deal and go for one stronger tube in the center...?

On thing I do not like about the twin tube set up I have now with the tongue desin is that I cannot use my pannier on the bike with the trailer, sounds dumb, but there are times when I wish I could. I might also take this opportunity to put a spacer in to raise the whole trailer up another inch, as there are sometimes ground clearance issues.....

I'll get it down to the workshop tonight and start to tackle the problem, might have to make a run to the DIY shop to buy some stronger steel too.....

There always seems to be one more thing to do :rolleyes:

Cheers!

rapattack
01-12-11, 07:16 AM
Dannngggggggg that is hardcore. How long ago did you make it and how many heavy loads have you taken on it?

Stu In Tokyo
01-12-11, 05:25 PM
Thanks!

I guess about 9 months, and It think I've maxed out at around 250 lbs, for short distances on mainly flat streets.

Cheers!

rapattack
01-12-11, 07:54 PM
Ah well it has had plenty of hard work and use!!!!;)

crazzywolfie
01-12-11, 08:13 PM
that is why i like my steel trailer. steel bends but does not break or tare as easily. plus with aluminum your would need an expensive welder to fix it. with my steel trailer i can fix my trailer with torches or a cheap welder.

Stu In Tokyo
01-13-11, 12:38 AM
that is why i like my steel trailer. steel bends but does not break or tare as easily. plus with aluminum your would need an expensive welder to fix it. with my steel trailer i can fix my trailer with torches or a cheap welder.

Yep, steel rocks!

It is fixed, but I don't have the camera with me, forgot it down in the Dungeon!

I'll post pics later, I'm pleased!

Stu In Tokyo
01-13-11, 02:55 AM
OK, some pics....

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You can see the gussets I put at each joint in the new trailer tongue.

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A close up, welding is OK, but not great. :o

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Here is the vertical part of the tongue where it attaches at the front of the trailer

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The strong back I put on the inside of the trailer that extends up to the first joint in the new tongue. I think this will be very solid. The hole is for the hook of my tie-down strap

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Here is is all a done, with out the brake mechanism attached, and then some paint.

I really do think this will be really strong, but lets see what happens in a years time........ if it makes it that far :rolleyes: