Recumbent - trailer to transport a tandem trike

We want to get a trailer to transport or tandem Terra Trike, preferably one that we can put the grandkids bikes in too. When our TT is broken down, there is no room for the grandkids in the car, much less their bikes. Found a reasonably priced, lightweight one at Harbor Freight's website:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92174
This trailer is actually 4 inches too short, but we are hoping that a friend of ours, who is a welder, will be able to modify it. We are wondering what others do to transport their tandem trikes without breaking them down. We've seen pics of some trailers just for tandem trikes, figured those must be custom made. We need one that will do OK on Interstate travel. Won't need it until spring, but thought it would be good to get some ideas now.
TP

Look around on craigslist. You can usually find something pretty cheap.

See if U-Haul folks can sell you an enclosed one . . .

We want to get a trailer to transport or tandem Terra Trike, preferably one that we can put the grandkids bikes in too. When our TT is broken down, there is no room for the grandkids in the car, much less their bikes. Found a reasonably priced, lightweight one at Harbor Freight's website:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92174
This trailer is actually 4 inches too short, but we are hoping that a friend of ours, who is a welder, will be able to modify it. We are wondering what others do to transport their tandem trikes without breaking them down. We've seen pics of some trailers just for tandem trikes, figured those must be custom made. We need one that will do OK on Interstate travel. Won't need it until spring, but thought it would be good to get some ideas now.
TP

The Harbor Freight trailers are OK, but remember that they're sprung for a load of several hundred pounds. A 60 pound trike isn't going to weigh it down much, and the trailer will want to bounce around- a lot. Removing or rearranging the leaf springs can lower the spring rate and make it more manageable, as well as adding concrete blocks (suitably secured) over the axle. A better starting point might be a kayak trailer: http://www.discount-trailers.com/portage-pal-canoe-trailer.htm , since it's the right length and sprung appropriately.

While they're pricey, the SportsRig trailers are built specifically for carrying light loads: http://www.hdtrailer.fix.net/index.php . One of my friends uses one to carry his Quest velomobile, and he's done many thousands of miles on Interstates without an issue.

If you build something yourself, really think through how the trike is going to be held on the trailer. With all the vibration and bouncing, things will loosen up in a hurry. Anything that's bolted together should have lockwashers or nylock nuts... or both. If you use plywood decking, seal it well on the top, bottom, and edges, and use large fender washers to hold the deck to the frame.

Though their price is a notch or two higher than HF, you might want to look at SportsRig (http://www.hdtrailer.fix.net/) trailers. They pull very well with a couple kayaks aboard and at least one (http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp287/kegantess/Tandempictures005.jpg) has been modified for a tandem trike.

Small boat trailers are a nice size for a tandem trike. Harbor Freight has this one for $300: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5002 Or a flat bed trailer will be easier to adapt than one with sides and a tailgate there is this one that folds up to store in a small space: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42709

We want to get a trailer to transport or tandem Terra Trike, preferably one that we can put the grandkids bikes in too.

I use a Hollywood folding 3 bike rack. I can haul the tandem, the Burley trailer, the 4 kids & all our stuff IN a Honda Accord,!;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=61379&d=1198388967

I use a Hollywood folding 3 bike rack. I can haul the tandem, the Burley trailer, the 4 kids & all our stuff IN a Honda Accord,!;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=61379&d=1198388967

Very cool :thumb:

I make bike & trike trailers. check out http://bicycletransport.webs.com
I'm in the process of making a tandem trailer for the terratrike. Mike G

I make bike & trike trailers. check out http://bicycletransport.webs.com
I'm in the process of making a tandem trailer for the terratrike. Mike G

2 year old thread... darn zombies.