lynnala

I'd like to add a cargo trailer to my bike, but I really don't want to have to build one. I need something basic and utilitarian to carry lumber for the studio I am building. I'm already building the studio, I don't want to have to build the trailer too! Can anyone recommend a place to buy bike cargo trailers? Does such a thing exist ready made?

John Lesar

I think these are the best.

https://www.bikesatwork.com/

CommuterRun

I use this one:
https://www.burley.com/products/adventure/flatbed.cfm

and this one when I want a covered trailer:
https://www.burley.com/products/child/solo.cfm

crackerdog

If you just want a light duty two wheel trailer, you can buy a used kid trailer off Craigslist and take off the fabric. They are usually rated to about 100 lbs. I use a bikes at work trailer for my construction trailer (rated to 300 lbs).

Nightshade

Yes, you can find anything "ready made" if you throw enough money at it. But why do that?

You ,even if your a clutzy person, can build this trailer , or have it built, for under $100 with
salvaged parts to carry 300# easy. Save your money, mate, it's hard times..remember??

"For those who want a "afforable" trailer consider a DIY trailer like this one. I built this trailer
many years ago using easily salvaged material that were found or I had on hand. I use it still
today when my Worksman PAV trike can't handle the load. If you elect to follow my mods to
the original plan it will have load capaicity of 300 lbs easy.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It...e-Trailer.aspx

My mods.....
Frame... from plywood to white oak salvaged from a shipping skid.
Wheels...from 27" to 20" salvaged from a discarded kids bike (carrys more).
Neck.. from plywood to white oak salvaged from a shipping skid.
Bracing for neck (for added twist strength) diagonal from front edge of frame to 6"
behind hitch of 3/4" electrical conduit. Neck dimensions can be adjusted to fit properly.
Paint...what I had on hand in oil based enamel.
Hitch.. a piece of tire side wall or other cord reinforced rubber sheeting.
Safety... seat belt for kids and bike flag for idiot drivers.

This plan is so easy to build I built mine using simple hand tools for everything except
drilling the 4 holes in the metal conduit."

Kabloink

I bought a hardly used one for $30. Those kids trailers make a great light weight utility trailer.

Doug5150

Plus, another advantage of using a "kid trailer" is that many of them will work as strollers too.
So if you're grocery shopping for example, you can take it into the store and use it as a shopping cart, to make sure what you buy will fit.
~

Kimmitt 

Yeah, used kid trailer is the way to go for cheap & easy.

donnamb 

First of all, how much weight would you like to be able to pull? Most standard ready-made bike trailers have a limit of about 100-150 lbs. If you want to carry more, the cost seems to go up significantly. Do you have a budget you would like to stay within?

lynnala

Thanks for all the responses! What I need is a sturdy flatbed for carrying lumber. I've been looking on craigslist for anything I could use to modify, haven't found anything yet. I could build the flatbed part, my concern is how to attach it to the bike properly so that it pulls correctly without going all over the place. That one from Commuterrun looks perfect, and a decent price. Tightwad, I found those plans of yours yesterday, that looks very easy.

Perhaps someone could give me a rundown on the best way to attach a trailer to a bike. What is with that sidebar that attaches on the readymades? I have this image of buildiing my own trailer, and having it weaving all over the road and pulling me down!

lynnala

Hey, now this is cool, a bamboo trailer. And I just happen to have a pile of bamboo in my yard!

https://carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html

Nightshade

It is very easy to build and will be very strong (300#+) if you use my listed mods to build it.

I built my without the use of any power tools at all. The only use of power tools was when I
had the hardware store drill holes in the metal conduit I added. My cost total was $25 using
all salvaged materials. Cost will depend on your ability to scounge up used/free material.

CommuterRun

I think the one I have is too short for carrying lumber. But then in my idea of lumber, anything shorter than stud length is considered pieces.

However, two of these trailers linked together might work. Maybe.

Allen

A fellow on a bamboo site emailed me an image of one he's built.


Elden Dean's Bamboo Trailer

Kimmitt 

lynnala, I built that sucker. Please check out my experiences at:

bambootrailer.blogspot.com

lynnala

Wow, Kimmitt, great blog on the building! Thanks for the link. The axle thing was already looking like trouble to me, I too thought of using scrounged forks, but you solved it for me! Thanks! Now I have to find a couple of wheels, I'm gonna hit a thrift store today.

lynnala

I posted this question in the utility bikes thread, but no one has answered: what size trailer would I need to carry lumber lengths of say, 8 ft.? Is that an unreasonable idea? Maybe it's not so much the length of the trailer as it is the length of the arm?

Kabloink

I never hauled lumber on a bike trailer, but I would think due to the flexing of the lumber you would need a fairly long trailer. I would say the base would need to be at least 5 feet long. Which would still require a long arm.

I don't think its unreasonable. The bikes at work trailer page shows their 8 foot model being used for lumber.

Kimmitt 

I'd be very leery of trying to transport that kind of length with a new setup. I suggest pickup truck rental and/or paying delivery charges. Just my 2c.

Juggler2

I'm an admirer of your cart. I suppose it's impossible to know, but would you care to hazard a guess as to how many have been built over the years?

CommuterRun

If 8' lumber is going to be a regular load I would look at an 8' trailer. According to their website, this trailer can be shortened, tailoring it to other loads. But the width of the cargo area is only 23.25", so I don't know if that would be a consideration.
https://www.bikesatwork.com/bike-trai...e-trailer.html
I don't see why this trailer wouldn't also handle longer loads with a little overhang.

If it's going to be a sometimes thing I would consider the Burley Flatbed:
https://www.burley.com/products/adventure/flatbed.cfm

Using something like this as a dolly to support the rear end of the load:
https://www.wicycle.com/canoe_wanoe_bicycle_cart.php

However, I can't vouch for how well that works, having never tried it.

lynnala

You know, that first link makes me think (again), why couldn't I just use one half of an old aluminum ladder and put wheels and a hitch on it? Doesn't it seem like that would work?

humblecyclist

I've also thought of using a decommissioned aluminum ladder as the basic foundation of making a trailer. Seaching the web did not turn up any info at all on a ladder based trailer.
I have some wheels set aside and a ladder to experiment with - so when cooler weather rolls around in the fall - this may be project I'll tackle.

My current trailer is a modified kiddie hauler:
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/...1f7dbe36_m.jpg

Keep us posted if you do a ladder based trailer!

...Bill

lynnala

Today I was looking at a pile of wood left over from a stair rebuild on my front porch, and suddenly the railing caught my eye....it looks like pre-built trailer foundation to me. It's basically a wide wooden ladder with diagonal slats. Hmmm.

Which reminds me, how does one know exactly where to place the wheels?

badmother

It`s all in the BF if you look! Just a few weeks ago somebody showed "alu ladder trailer". Is`nt there something like a "Trailer constructions tips" sticky here? I am sure it is isn the Utility forum.