Totaled my old beater, no wreck, just worn out. Would have cost the price of a new to fix, just for the parts. Bought a new one (don't gag too hard!) from wally world. Decided my trailer hitch just wasn't doing it for me any more. I don't like the turning limits you get with the typical chainstay tube hitch, so am designing my own.

Here are a few pics of the wooden mock-up I've done. Held onto the bike with rubber bands, that's why the center post at the back. I needed to check clearances etc. to make sure it is going to work.









I should have gotten pics of the entire process, but here's what I have so far:

My workshop-



I've seen it written several places, "If you wait until you have all the right equipment, you'll never get projects started. Use what you have on hand, then upgrade as you go along." This is why I'm using mostly woodworking tools for my projects.

Anyway, Here are a few pics of what I have so far:





There will be a brace on both sides when finished, needed to make sure it wasn't going to interfere with the rear derailleur, and adjust placement accordingly.

The square tubing is from an old broken golf bag cart, and the round is a piece of EMT conduit left over from a job I did for a friend. The aluminum plate is salvaged from some cabinetwork bought at auction, mainly for the exotic woods they were made of. The plate was used for drawer bottoms.





Using old inner tubes for spacing and frame protection, should have the added benefit of shock mounting as well. We'll see how well this works, if at all.

I will be making a U-joint for the actual connection to the trailer, and remake the tow bar on that for a centered system. will post more as I get things done.