rtciv

Doconabike - what's the reason for the trailer basket being set so far back along the hitch arm?
It looks great, though - nice work.

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Here's a shot of my trailer:



more info: https://www.bikeforums.net/utility-cycling/555411-single-wheel-trailer-build-updated-i-go-along.html

I'll post again when it's painted.

kingfish254

I have been inspired by the trailers here, but I am too much of a cheap ass to spend the money on a new one. I finally came across a good deal on a Rhode Gear child trailer. Now I get to have fun re-engineering it to be a utility trailer.

One concern I do have is whether or not my heal with hit the hitch. My main ride is a Dahon Jetstream P8 with 20" wheels. We shall see. I may have to fabricate another attachment method for the hitch.

Will post photos once I start playing and wrap my head around this monkey.

Doconabike

Thanks RTCIV,
It's been fun to follow along the progress of your trailer too. I have found much inspiration from the trailers I have seen on this forum.

The long hitch arm is to accommodate long loads like a surfboard or long kayak. I got the idea from a Canadian kayak trailer company called "Tony's Trailers." The long hitch arm allows you to carry a long load without the long load hitting you in the back. See this link for Tony's Trailers https://www.tonystrailers.com/kayak/

Below is a photo of my trailer carrying a tall load on the way back from a run to the nursery to pick up an Acacia tree.

kingfish254

I like your trailer. Thanks also for the link to Tony's. Lot of good ideas on that site.

qmsdc15

Nice trailer, Doc. I was wondering about the long hitch when I saw your trailer in another thread.

dzrthauler

Hey all, so I jumped into the "I'm not an engineer, but I play one at home building my utility trailer" game. I have 2 Wyse Cart hand trucks at my disposal, all aluminum, so I have been sawing and bolting to my hearts content... it is going to end up with a BAW kind of hitch going on... should only have to pony-up for wheels - 16" spoked from Northern Tool. Pics of trailer to follow, meanwhile here is my '84 SweetHeart Cycles Motocruiser I raced back in the day - now my utility bike -fenders, fork and 'bars have changed; everything else is just like I last raced it.

Charlie_R

New guy here. Found this forum looking for ideas for trailer brakes. Liked what I saw so decided to stay.

Anyway, here is my trailer, based on a design I found on the net.

Stats are:
Overall length: 96"
Deck length: 60"
Deck width: 38"
Track width: 32"
Hitch to wheel: 68"
Wheel size: 559mm (26X1.75)[from roadside collection on trash day]

I estimate that I could easily haul 350lb on this trailer, however I doubt that my legs would be up to the task!




Hitch is made from 3/4" square tubing with 5/16-18 bolts used as swivels between each section. Gives me full 3 axis movement between bike and trailer.





Close-up of the hitch.





Looking down on the hitch.





My "drop-outs". Made from 12ga aluminum salvaged from cabinets bought at an auction years ago.





Bottom view, showing full gusseting of the frame.





Fishplated the drawbar to deck connection.





The hitch attachment to the trailer.




Pulls really smooth, but I need to get rid of the knobbies. Makes a humming sound above 17mph.

Tried to take a corner too fast unloaded, and had a really fun experience. Inside wheel climbed the curb and flipped the trailer. Lifted my rear wheel just enough to break traction, and slid the back of the bike sideways. Interesting feeling when you aren't expecting it!

I'll be adding lights to the back of it, will post more pics after I make and install them. I'm working on a turn signal arraingement for the bike and trailer as well.

Any Questions?

dzrthauler

Wow.. nice work!! How heavy is that beast of burden??

Charlie_R

Trailer and bike weigh in at about 75 lb, bike is as heavy as the trailer (walmart special, was a dump-off behind a local substation)

dzrthauler

So here is what I have come up with so far... this shows the undercarriage and an upclose of one of my axle mounts- 2 more supports will be cut and mounted on the centerline.. I have already re-worked the draw-bar connection...the heavy U shape steel conx will be replaced with aluminum supports. I won't be able to finalize the hitch to bike portion fully until I have the wheels and they are connected. Any thoughts on the axle would be helpful...one long bolt running the width or two running outboard from the centerline? The wheels are 16" w/ 1/2" axle holes.... Thanks in advance.

ef4l

Hi guys here is my frame I built

https://canadawebsitehosting.net/bike...erb/index.html

BjoernSP

I'm working on my trailer since 2004. Became kind of a hobby. My first design started out with a two wheeler similar to the Yak-design. But the ride wasn't satisfying. So I changed my design and that is the state where I am as of now. It's mostly made from soft steel tubing and some round steel tubing from an old hammock I had laying around. I plan to add a top to it made from aluminum frame and tarp.
The trailer is meant to be a carrier for some NICad batteries (in the sub-floor) to run my electric assisted bike. A project I will start once the trailer is complete.

dzrthauler

Well, the orange trailer looks... interesting. I'm a weight freak... so, how heavy is that masterpiece?? And, what kind of bike & hitch are you going to use?

BjoernSP

The trailer is quite heavy when I try lifting it up. The whole frame is welded. Haven't put it on a scale yet. But it handles nicely on my bike. I'm not too concerned about the weight since I plan to stick a Crystalyte 3505 motor in my front wheel.
The hitch is made from two strong swivel caster wheels (wheel taken out). One is attached to the trailer and the other one is attached to my bike. Works perfectly and moves in all directions.

BjoernSP

Hi,
I think, if you don't want to carry too heavy stuff I'd suspend the wheels in a similar fashion as 'ef4I' did it on his steel frame trailer. Looks like a very light construction. Running an axle under the frame would be heavier although more robust. It all depends what you have in mind carrying around.

cbr2702

Just built a trailer:











I used quick disconnect ball joints from midwest control products for the hitch. QI250s. The dropouts are galvanized steel "mending brackets" from home depot. The hitch design is patterned after the bikes at work trailer hitch. I made hitches for two bikes. The upper one uses pipe clamps, the lower one uses U bolts. The trailer frame is all 2x4s, though I probably could have used something lighter. I need to paint it. The wheels are oddball 28 inch (635mm) 700B westwood roadster wheels.

The trailer will sometimes have a box sitting on those ropes. The goal is to get the center of gravity really low. Looking forward to trying it out with some real loads!

hairyman

I built this one based on a design from https://bikecart.pedalpeople.com/. It cost me about $65 and 15-20 hours of my time.

BossCat

What about this quirky idea for a trailer.

https://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat...hitecture.html

Regards
Tom

cman

My wife came home with Kiddie trailer made by Yakima originally called the Tot-Rod. Somebody was giving it away so she spoke up. I removed the roll cage and cut the floor material out to reuse. I sewed some velcro straps on to fasten it to the trailer frame. I then cut and stapled some 1x2" trim onto the floor. Stable platform but rolls up for storage. The frame on the trailer collapses like wheel chair.

Ready to start hauling.

kingfish254

Nicely done!
I like the roll up floor design.

bjjoondo 

Here's my homade utility trailer, only thing I might change is looking for a larger tub!

politicalgeek

Anyone have a start for a DIY Bikes at Work style trailer?

I volunteer with a local group that works to provide free bike parking at major local events. Our equipment now is pretty heavy and requires a truck to get it to the events. We've been looking at various ways to redesign things and try and bike everything to the site. I think I have an idea that would integrate a BAW style trailer to support the bikes we park. Any suggestions?

waverley610

Good effort on the trailers folks..... don't you have hillls nearby to struggle up?

Spotted on holiday in Bavaria last week ( a really bike friendly place) some other working German bikes too @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/8728562...7622809894528/

kingfish254

Great set of photos. I especially like the looks of the yellow postal bike.

rtciv

From my other thread:

Here's a picture from the other day. Please excuse the hitch arms, I haven't ground down the latest welds nor repainted them (they were black):



This was welded from scrap metal and bike parts. I got the paint for free from the local dump. The fabric for the lining was purchased new.

If anyone is annoyed that there's no pictures of the hitches, that's because they're broken (again), haha. There are details in this thread, though: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-as-I-go-along