Great idea with the rolling bed, but I`d be worryed about the weight!

Remember ths one: http://www.tonystrailers.com/nomad/

Do you by chance have plans drawn up on your trailer? I'm planning an extended trip from Florida to North Carolina in late Spring and would like to build one for the trip. The U Joint coupling is AWESOME! Nice work!

Nicely done, really!!

Thanks! Here's a shot of the chassis before all the hardware is attached:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...wn/chassis.jpg

Nice Job.
I take it that this is a new build trailer? and not a cut down of your "BFT"...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...entown/bft.jpg

I like the rugged construction, and the wheel arches, I suppose with them being steel? you could carry a wider that trailer load. Not to heavy though.

Tom

Yes, the latest "grocery getter". entire chassis is aluminum, 24.75 x 36.75 and the fenders are stronger than necessary (.125" 6061 T6). also, the BAW towarm is a great investment. Overall width is 31"

Im moving to electric
 

While resarching trailers I happened across a few that had motors put in them - ie Push Trailers. After seeing this I thought I'd try giving it a go myself.

I got a motor 36V 500Watt, which came with a cog/sprocket that doesn't match up with a bike chain?
I stripped down a bike wheel and seperated all the cogs. I got my mate to weld a plate onto one of the cogs then drill and file a hole so that the plate slips over the motor spindal. I then stripped the large cog/chainring of an old bike pedal and got my mate to weld that onto the freewheel cog on a bike wheel. I then hooked everything up to a trailer and tested it. It ran ok if a little off center.

Motor and wheel setup.

http://jwd.org.uk/cogsetup.jpg

I dont think that the little towball I have on my tow arm would hold up to the stress put on it by any motor.

Towball Hitch.

http://jwd.org.uk/hitch1.jpg

So I took the towarm off my monowheel trailer and attached it to my motor trailer as I thought this would be a stronger setup. After a test ride (no motor on, need to get batts) I found the bike unsteady and pulled to one side? I think this maybe because my mate welded the towarm a bit squint?

Trailer with monowheel tow arm.

http://jwd.org.uk/hookup1.jpg

After a few test run I wasn't happy with the way the trailer felt while towing, the trailer pulls like im riding a trike, wheels come off the ground when cornering.

Humm!! My trailer needed rotation. So I added another steering stem onto the angled plate to give the trailer rotation to see if it helps.

Trailer Rotation.

http://jwd.org.uk/rotation1.jpg

http://jwd.org.uk/rotation3.jpg

http://jwd.org.uk/rotation4.jpg

As you can see from the pictures the trailer now has rotation in all directions. The added purple stem allows the bike to tilt when cornering and the trailer stay put with both wheels on the ground.

http://jwd.org.uk/hookup2.jpg

The trailer/motor (Push Trailer) setup is still in the design/build stage. I need to get a few things - speed controller/throttle and some new batteries -(the ones im using are passed there best).

I'll keep you all updated on any progress I make - Keep yer fingers crossed :D

Regards
Tom

My new trailer arrived today. After two years as a basic commuter the bike has become utility as well. I can go grocery shopping now as opposed to running in and buying one or two things.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/P4100006.jpg

Who makes that one?

Carry Freedom Trailer
http://marty-thejerseypedaler.blogspot.com/

It's Nashbar's basic trailer. Currently on sale for about $80. I was able to apply an extra 15% off and got it for $85 inculding shipping.

It's a lightweight model only rated for about 40lbs or so but I don't really need anything bigger right now.

Just a little trailer update.

I got hold of a little kiddie electric scooter and stripped it down, fitted the motor/controller and a few other bits to my trailer, hooked up some batteries and gave it a test run.

It worked fine if a little slow. The motor is only 24V 180Watt so it doesn't have enough ooumph to push me along at any great pace.

http://jwd.org.uk/trailerbike.jpg

The parts I need to install my bigger motor have arrived so its a move up from 24V 180Watt to 36V 500Watt motor. Zzzzoooooom

I'll keep you updated as to any trailer progress or hospital visits :D

Regards
Tom

I picked up a couple of light strong frames the other day and made up a quick trailer. I'll strip one down and get my mate Peter to weld it up and make a good strong trailer out of both frames so the wheels are not cantilever.

http://jwd.org.uk/trailerframe.jpg

Regards
Tom

I have a B.O.B. Yak. (After wrecking the stock hub) I rebuilt the wheel with the stock rim, custom cut DT spokes and a BMX hub that bolts on with 8mm allen bolts. The fork has been replaced too, because the original got bent somehow. I think someone backed into it while I was locked to a parking meter. I'm glad I have the new fork. They improved the design. Anyone having problems with the connection of an older BOB trailer to his or her bike should take a look at the new improved fork.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC02637.jpg

Trailer Update....

Last weekend I got my mate to weld up the two frames, the trailer frame you see on the bike and the frame in the background.

http://jwd.org.uk/trailerframe.jpg

We started by welding a piece of angle iron across both ends of the frame to keep it square, then I ground off the mesh. Next we cut up the other frame and welded it in.

Welding Angle Iron.

http://jwd.org.uk/frameweld1.jpg

Finished Frame.

http://jwd.org.uk/frameweld2.jpg

I still have a couple of cross member angle iron to bolt on to strengthen up the frame, these will act as a support for the motor/chain tensioner and mudguards.
I rigged up a temp bar/wooden panel and box -(for batteries and controller).

As you can see I still have the wiring loom from a little scotter to figure out. The horn and indicators work but the cable aint long enough to attach to the bike so I bundled it up inside the box for the time being.

http://jwd.org.uk/wireloom.jpg

I did a little test with the motor, which is a 36V 500Watt. I had to use the controller of the little 24V kiddie scotter I got as the 36V controller I bought the other week doesn't work?

http://jwd.org.uk/motortest.jpg

So I have.....
A 36Volt 500Watt motor running through a 24Volt Controller, with 2 12Volt 14AMP batteries, which nips along around 12-15mph?
Once I get the 36Volt Controller working and add another battery to take it up to 36V I'll be whizzing along around 35-40mph? .........Weeeeeeeee

http://jwd.org.uk/camptrailer.jpg

Regards
Tom

Looking good, Tom. Be careful on that thing.

hi hers a pic of mine
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=150284http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=150286http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=150287

Just scored a really cool Tanjor inline aerodynamic kids' trailer! It's in excellent condition, and seats two kids, an looks killer! Neat features, like the rollback windows, full rain cover, and fold down seats for cargo, and cambered wheels make this pretty interesting. Too bad the company is not around anymore.

http://p6.hostingprod.com/@chaadthomas.com/tanjor1.jpg

http://p6.hostingprod.com/@chaadthomas.com/tanjor2.jpg

That is really cool looking! If it was painted differently it would look like the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile.

Just bought my first trailer today. Had the interesting first ride hoping I wouldn't catch a wheel on anything. It's rated for 90kg.

Attachment 151893

Attachment 151892

A man after my own heart - A TRAILER NUT :D

Nice fleet of trailers, Are you going into production?

Regards
Tom

Artfully photographed as well.

Here's an update to my electric push trailer project.

After a few teething problems I managed to get it up and running. Here are a few pictures for you to drool over :D

First up I soon realised that a cantlevered wheel trailer just wasnt going to cut it, so I had to make up a frame that supported the wheels on both sides...

Cantilevered Flatbed.

http://jwd.org.uk/falkirktrip1.jpg

Framed Flatbed.

http://jwd.org.uk/trailertest2.jpg

Once the initial tests were done (dirt track tests, aiming for ever pothole I could find) and I was happy that the thing was going to hold together I began work on a plywood box.

Box under construction.

http://jwd.org.uk/trailerbox.jpg

I then had a few problems with a new 36V 800Watt controller that i'd bought, so I had to do some more testing in my workshop. ......Workshop indeed! Its my kitchen :D

Controller Testing.

http://jwd.org.uk/contesting.jpg

More tests outside.... Its alive. Damn that wheel cant half spin, fast enough to cut diamonds :lol:

http://jwd.org.uk/throttletest2.jpg

Its starting to take shape, I went for another few test runs and found that I have a bad battery. one of the three 12V batteries I use is draining way to fast, I'll have to replace it. I carried on testing with 2 batteries after swapping out the 36V controller for a 24V one, which gives me a speed of around 12 to 15mph.

http://jwd.org.uk/testrun.jpg

Next up I made some mudguards/fenders for the trailer out of an old plastic shop sign. I have since took them off as I have to make some brackets to hold them on at a more sloping angle.

Mudguards/Fenders.

http://jwd.org.uk/silver1.jpg

To be continued....

Electric push trailer project continued....

Mudguards/Fenders.
As you can see they dont sit right.
http://jwd.org.uk/silver2.jpg

Next thing on the list was a paint job, I Stripped down the trailer body and gave it an undercoating of yellow emulsion before spaying it black. I painted the underside of the box and frame with a couple of thick coats of hammerite paint, this should protect it from rain and road grunge and help stop it rotting.

Painting.

http://jwd.org.uk/painting1.jpg

http://jwd.org.uk/painting2.jpg

The next thing I done was cut the lid off a cantilevered toolbox to make my sunken battery box, which I later painted silver. I also had to add a piece of angle iron and a small block of wood to stop the batteries sliding around.

http://jwd.org.uk/batteybox2.jpg

As you may see I fitted in both of my controllers - 24V & 36V, this way I can run the trailer at 36V - Fast, until the bad battery gives out, then change a few wires over to 24V and carry on around 12/15mph. The solar panel may help keep the bad battey topped up? I dont know yet as this needs testing.
http://jwd.org.uk/battbox1.jpg

http://jwd.org.uk/battbox2.jpg

With the trailer nearly complete I sat a few of my solar panles on top of the lid to see how they'd look. Once I get them hooked up it should recharge my batteries while im on the move and give me a bit better range.

http://jwd.org.uk/solartrailer.jpg

Dont know what happened?
The chain kept popping off? You tests and test on the most pot-holy of dirt tracks, aiming for every pothole you can see and your trailer doesn't bat an eye. So you paint it and tidy it up, then take it for a run on flat ground and the bloody chain keeps comming off? Grrr. I had to make up a chain tensioner.

http://jwd.org.uk/tensioner.jpg

At last its road ready (fingers crossed) and I can use it to do my shopping trips and skip hunting/dumpster diving ;)

A Thing Of Beauty.

http://jwd.org.uk/roadready.jpg

I still have the mudguards/fenders to fit plus add some lights (rear lights/indicators/brake light) that im waiting to arrive. I also have to figure out the wiring loom off a grip from a little electric scooter, this way I'll have all the switches at my fingertips - Lights - Indicators - Horn.

Till next time, im off on the electric.

Regards
Tom

Bosscat -That trailer rules and bet you are gonna stun a lot folks when you blow by them with no visible assist.

Tom,

Be Careful mate, any electric motor or device with an output greater than 250 watts, or propels the bike at over 20 mph is going to attract the local plod regarding insurance and a helmet, and the DVLA for registration and taxation, etc.

Hi Gareth,

Yeah mate, im well aware of the 15mph/200Watt motor speed limit. I'll have to get my speedometer hooked up and do a test with each of the controllers. At the moment I can only do around 12/15mph with the 24V controller. Im going to doctor up the sticker on the 500Watt motor, then should I get pulled over by the law and they have a look they'll see its only a 200Watt motor. If they ask how I can get such a speed out of a 200Watt motor, I'll just explain to them that its all down to the aerodynamic design of the trailer :D

....but at the moment I cant do anything! As I think im going senile in my old age? I took off my back wheel to fix a punture and now I cant find my rear spindal? I laid it down for safe keeping, so safe now I cant find it :lol:

Regards
Tom