What Trailer for SLow, Heavy Hauling?

[Cosmoline]

I think I reached my limit on what I can carry with the converted kid trailer or the BOB. It's a Knaack industrial toolbox, about 5'x3'x3' weighing about 200 lbs. empty. Nice quality steel, indoor/outdoor. I'm going to use it among other things to hold my bike shop tools and such. But none of my trailers are up to the task of moving this beast, even empty. I can man-handle it around but not over great distances. All I'd really need is some sort of hitch and high-quality axle and tires to mount on it and it's solid enough to be it's own trailer so to speak. Anyone make such a thing??

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T1R7B1CBL._AA150_.gif

[HandsomeRyan]

...weighing about 200 lbs. empty....

(A) where (how far) are you going to be able to ride with a trailer that weighs 200+lbs? (i checked, you don't even live in a flat state)

(B) if you really think this is a good idea, pneumatic wheelbarrow tires or riding lawnmower tires can easily handle that type of weight

(C) see letter A

(D) if all you need is a trailer to haul bike tools there are lighter and more efficient ways to make one rather than going to the expense and hassle of converting something that will, at best, be a very heavy, very mediocre trailer.

[bhchdh]

http://www.bikesatwork.com/bike-trailers/model-64a-bike-trailer.html

[Cyclaholic]

Cosmoline, do you just need to get it home? if so then it wouldn't be so hard to set something up

I hope you're not seriously considering building a trailer out of it as something that you'll tow regularly! :eek: if so then you're up for quite a design challenge, including a motor power assist for your bike. Seriously, you won't get much use out of a 200+lb trailer berfore you even put anything in it.

If you just want to get it home I'd do this...

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailr001-1.jpg

1" sqare tubue steel chassis (drawn in red), 20" wheels, strap the box on top (straps drawn in blue). I'd use my rod-end hitch design, whatever hitch you use it has to be solidly built and definitely use a safety strap in case it comes undone.

I would aim to have the center of gravity just ahead of the wheels as indicated in the sketch. Shoot for around 5% of the weight of the trailer to be bearing down on the hitch.

[StephenH]

Something like this:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_465468_465468

I'd go for a lighter box- less theft-proof, but much easier to move.

See the "locking Tradesman toolbox 4' x 5'" on this post:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=323220

[vey]

There is a fellow here that uses a Dutch "bakfiet" with an old chest type freezer on the front. He keeps his tools in the freezer with chains and hasps keeping it locked. Seems safer than a trailer unless electric brakes are added.

This one claims to have a 660 pound capacity. Note the leaf springs. http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/bicycles/professional-worktrikes/workbike-classic-dutch-large.html

[cerewa]

All I'd really need is some sort of hitch and high-quality axle and tires to mount on it and it's solid enough to be it's own trailer so to speak. Anyone make such a thing??

My parents have a canoe with a pair of wheels which can be strapped to the bottom. I believe the wheels were purchased from REI in Anchorage, though it may have been a special order through REI there. The wheels are about 30" apart (kind of narrow) and about 10"-12" tall and hold their load at a position a couple inches above the top of the wheels.... so you'd have to go very slowly.

doesn't solve the hitch problem though-- possibly you could securely strap a pole/broomstick/whatever to the top of the chest, and then tie the end of the pole securely to your seatpost.

If I remember right, Target/Walmart stores around here stock plastic indoor/outdoor tool chests of that approximate size which come in a flat pack and weigh about half as much. Perhaps you would like one of those instead? Might even be able to be packed in/on the kiddie trailer.

[Nightshade]

I think I reached my limit on what I can carry with the converted kid trailer or the BOB. It's a Knaack industrial toolbox, about 5'x3'x3' weighing about 200 lbs. empty. Nice quality steel, indoor/outdoor. I'm going to use it among other things to hold my bike shop tools and such. But none of my trailers are up to the task of moving this beast, even empty. I can man-handle it around but not over great distances. All I'd really need is some sort of hitch and high-quality axle and tires to mount on it and it's solid enough to be it's own trailer so to speak. Anyone make such a thing??

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T1R7B1CBL._AA150_.gif

From this post I take it all you want to do is get the tool box home not make
a trailer out of it.

If moving the box is the issue then hire it done or borrow a truck,but don't
waste time trying to figure out how to haul it on a bike.

If you really insist on biking it home then.......good luck.

[Juggler2]

From this post I take it all you want to do is get the tool box home not make
a trailer out of it.

If moving the box is the issue then hire it done or borrow a truck,but don't
waste time trying to figure out how to haul it on a bike.

If you really insist on biking it home then.......good luck.

+1

[CommuterRun]

From this post I take it all you want to do is get the tool box home not make
a trailer out of it.

If moving the box is the issue then hire it done or borrow a truck,but don't
waste time trying to figure out how to haul it on a bike.

If you really insist on biking it home then.......good luck.

+2
I'd have somebody with a pickup help me move it for gas money and a 6 pack. Nice looking box though.:)

Edit: Or even better than a P/U, a utility trailer. You guys won't have to lift it as high to load it.

[wahoonc]

Bikes at Work seems to have the best trailers for massive loads (both in size and weights) I believe that you would be well within the capacity of one of their trailers with that box on the empty.

As a side note...you call that a box? These are what we use on our job sites...along with the smaller ones.:D

Aaron:)
http://www.knaack.com/images/products/119_332_main.jpg

[Cyclaholic]

From this post I take it all you want to do is get the tool box home not make
a trailer out of it.

If moving the box is the issue then hire it done or borrow a truck,but don't
waste time trying to figure out how to haul it on a bike.

If you really insist on biking it home then.......good luck.

Without knowing the distance and terrain involved why dismiss the possibility of biking it home? I (and others here) have moved items this heavy by bike before, I do it pretty regularly.

[Cosmoline]

From this post I take it all you want to do is get the tool box home not make
a trailer out of it.

That's right. It's way too heavy to be a practical bike trailer. I like the idea of using a pair of canoe wheels or Cyclaholic's dolly. Doesn't need to go very fast, in fact I could just walk the bike. It's simply for going from one place to another when I move it again.

In the mean time, it rocks as a storage unit. The Knaacks are massive steel beasts.