Living Car Free - Help with modifying a trailer for a bike(please) :)

I thought i'd start a fresh thread as my topic has changed. Thanks nightshade for your previous plans..but im not looking for something wooden.

I have the following trailer in my garage..found it lying around on the 2nd level. The wheels are easily removed. I'll keep the back wheels but the front have to go as I found it was difficult turning it. That being said, my biggest problem in terms of design is how to attach it to my bike. What works best..seatpost? near the rear axle? I can pick up an aluminum bar at the hardware store for a dollar that I can bend...but i can't visualize what connectors i'll need to attach the bar to the trailer (so it folds) and to the bike. As for the handlebar that comes with the trailer, it folds backwards so I think i'll just keep it. Or should I remove it? If I remove it, it's gone for good.

Advice anyone would be appreciated. Pics are here:

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7338/trailer4.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4552/trailer3.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7015/trailer2.jpg

This is how the trailer looks if put the handlebars to the open position...should I attach the trailer to the bike using the existing handlebars and then to the seatpost? (sorry for the clutter. We are looking at the first bike)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6461/bikeandtrailer.jpg

the bike in question is here: same as above but a clearer pic.
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9260/bikeonly.jpg

All I can recommend is bigger tires on that thing. That's quite an engineering feat you've got there. I'd made sure you get the exact size wheels you want before you start attaching stuff... it might change the dimensions of where you're putting things.

Have you seen this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=337556) thread?

Thanks for those threads rbrian, no I did not see them. However, I never took into consideration that the weight should all be on the tires. As my tires are on the back, the weight would end up falling on the connecting bar from the trailer to the bike....that would be a lot of stress on it. Damn.... back to the drawing board.

Thanks for those threads rbrian, no I did not see them. However, I never took into consideration that the weight should all be on the tires. As my tires are on the back, the weight would end up falling on the connecting bar from the trailer to the bike....that would be a lot of stress on it. Damn.... back to the drawing board.

Now for some really bad news. :( The baby carriage is not strong enough, nor the wheels robust
enough, for bike trailer needs. A baby carriage will fail/wear out at walking speeds in time!!

As you say....."Damn.... back to the drawing board":(.

Now for some really bad news. :( The baby carriage is not strong enough, nor the wheels robust
enough, for bike trailer needs. A baby carriage will fail/wear out at walking speeds in time!!

As you say....."Damn.... back to the drawing board":(.

Nightshade, isn't your trailer very heavy with all that wood?

Ummm yeah. That "trailer" ain't going to work, baby.

Nightshade, isn't your trailer very heavy with all that wood?

No, not really. I used oak for the frame for strength then whatever ply board (NOT chip board!)
of whatever thickness (I favor thin underlayment ply board) for the rest. The total weight is good
for balance and stablity but you never feel it while riding because it's all "sprung" weight on the
wheels.

All that said, wood or not the trailer I built in the 1980's is still as robust and able as the day I
built it. This trailer gets used all summer long so it's got some miles and some smiles on it!:thumb:

It should also be remembered that 4 wheels will not track well even if it would carry the weight. You either need a front axle that turns or a connecting bar that swivels as the bike turns.