Bicycle Mechanics - Recycled Bike Trailer

I’ve just put online some step-by-step instructions on how to make your own bike trailer. I thought I’d spread the word. This very strong design can be made any where in the World for pennies. All you need is some cheap tools and a couple of scrap bikes. It may change your shopping habits, it may even change the World! I would especially like to see this taken up by NGOs working in the developing word. If you know people who work in this field, please pass on the information. I hope to get this seen by as many people as possible.

Thanks

Henry Godfrey henryg@ukonline.co.uk

http://www.walcotmedia.com/trailer

I had modest success with a Radio Flyer wagon and hose clamps. Just remove the handle, clamp the rod to the left chain stay with the hose clamps, and off you go. The steering of the wagon keeps it right behind you, but a bit offset to the left of the bike. I think I had fabricated an extension for the rod, I can't remember.

What's a Radio Flyer wagon?

Those little Radio Flyer wheels won't hold up to road surfaces and road speeds for very long. I was actually thinking of a way to start with a RF "body", but put 20" spoked wheels on it. Oh, drat, it's got two axles. Hmm, what is "prefab", about that size, and has a single axle? Puzzle, puzzle...

It may change your shopping habits, it may even change the World!
That's the attitude! (Visualize positive thumbs-up type smiley face here.)



I would especially like to see this taken up by NGOs working in the developing word.
I'd guess the "developed" world could learn more from the "developing" in this case.

I looked at the plans, and it looks like in some combinations of trailer wheel size and stem/link type, the stem/link could get into the bicycle's spokes when the bike is turning left and or leaned to the left.

Also, the only way to remove it is to loosen the wheel and remove the quick release. Am I understanding that correctly?

I looked at the plans, and it looks like in some combinations of trailer wheel size and stem/link type, the stem/link could get into the bicycle's spokes when the bike is turning left and or leaned to the left.

Also, the only way to remove it is to loosen the wheel and remove the quick release. Am I understanding that correctly?

That will only happen if the trailer tips over. i know this cos I've done it being reckless with it. It should not occur under normal use.

The link is low tech and requires the nut or QR to be removed. However the design is ripe for refinements. It is not a sacred cow and we'd like such refinements to be included in the manual.

Radio Flyer wagons are the small red wagons children play with in the United States. You may see them in some American movies or TV. I only said modest success, but I can't remember all the details since this was about 20 years ago or so.

That is a sweet trailer!! I have seen ads for hand built trailers that were hundreds of dollars. It might not be too practical for a long haul but it sure is a nice utility trailer.

Here's a different design from itdg.org.

http://itdg.org/html/technical_enquiries/docs/bicycle_trailers.pdf

anyone wanna let me borrow a welder?

Very nice. I've been wanting to put togther a nicer trailer. My current one is basically two milk crates on a axle with two short stout wheelbarrow wheels. On the upside, it's very sturdy, easily able to carry six cases of beer. Bit it's rather inelegant. The hitch was recycled from a old kid trailer.