The post your trailer thread.
#676
Banned.
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 315
From: Vegemite Island
Bikes: 2017 Surly Troll with XT Drive Train, 2017 Merida Big Nine XT Edition, 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR 2, 1995 Trek 830
#680
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Vashon Island, Washington
Bikes: Customized Virtue with HillTopper electric assist, and BOB trailer
My working BOB trailer and big bin
I use my BOB trailer and large bin to do landscape gardening work in my community, which is very hilly. I have a small electric assist to get me up the steepest hills with all the weight in my bin. 
The two kickstands really help for stability, and I also have a Flash Flag which sticks out into traffic to keep the vehicles at bay. It works very well.

The two kickstands really help for stability, and I also have a Flash Flag which sticks out into traffic to keep the vehicles at bay. It works very well.
#681
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Vashon Island, Washington
Bikes: Customized Virtue with HillTopper electric assist, and BOB trailer
My Bamboo Cargo Trailer
I also have a bamboo cargo trailer, which I had made for me in Portland, Oregon by Adam George: https://boundbikes.wordpress.com/bamboo-trailers/ I fell in love with the light and strong bamboo trailers after using my landlord's trailer, also made by Adam. So when I settled down again on Vashon Island, Washington, near Seattle, I decided I had to have one. I have used it only a few times, most notably to carry my groom and myself from the wedding to our home, being pulled by 3 cyclists, while we sat in state on a loveseat on the trailer. But now, I find I am not able to use it safely in my new home, as I would need to take it along a highway with a 50mph speed limit, and the shoulder is just not quite wide enough for me to feel safe with the cargo trailer. So I have listed it for sale in the Marketplace forum on this site.
And here is a photo of it being used for our wedding:

Safety first! Getting ready to head home on the bike trailer after our wedding.

Three cyclists were hooked up to the trailer through the use of bicycle tubes. It worked a treat!

And here is a photo of it being used for our wedding:

Safety first! Getting ready to head home on the bike trailer after our wedding.

Three cyclists were hooked up to the trailer through the use of bicycle tubes. It worked a treat!
#682
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 1
From: Berkley, Michigan
Bikes: Commuter(s), MTB(s), bent(s), folder(s) and a road.
I use my BOB trailer and large bin to do landscape gardening work in my community, which is very hilly. I have a small electric assist to get me up the steepest hills with all the weight in my bin. 
The two kickstands really help for stability, and I also have a Flash Flag which sticks out into traffic to keep the vehicles at bay. It works very well.

The two kickstands really help for stability, and I also have a Flash Flag which sticks out into traffic to keep the vehicles at bay. It works very well.
#683
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Vashon Island, Washington
Bikes: Customized Virtue with HillTopper electric assist, and BOB trailer
#684
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 20
From: costa mesa ca
Bikes: 85 botteccia, 85 mcmahn tiatainium, 90 something trek clyde, early 70s schwinn tandem single speed, early 90s gary fisher aquila (the daily rider now!)
Alright, I said it and that's all.
take alot of pics so you can look back on them. They get so happy it's great. Having a trailer for my dog was one of the best things I ever did. Enjoy!
#686
Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
Started this the other day. Tore up an old rusted out wagon and framing it out from some scrap 2x4s. It's roughly 5ft x 2ft. I'm setting it up to cary around my pool cleaning supplies and tree trimming/landscaping tools. I'll finish it up in the next few days and snap some more photos.




#687
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 40
Likes: 3
From: Ct
Bikes: Flandria, Motobecane, Carbela, Humber, Robin Hood(2), Schwinn, Columbia(2), GT Performer BMX...too many
Started this the other day. Tore up an old rusted out wagon and framing it out from some scrap 2x4s. It's roughly 5ft x 2ft. I'm setting it up to cary around my pool cleaning supplies and tree trimming/landscaping tools. I'll finish it up in the next few days and snap some more photos.






Here is my child carrier conversion for a grocery, camping firewood, beer & ice, and beach runner.
I am going to be staining it tomorrow, I fit it and removed the deck for staining.
I made it from a free pallet, hardware, stain and clear coat I already have and the frame comes from the child carrier we had for my boys...they have been riding for years now.







My goal(s)
1. (Very) Lightweight
2. Keep it simple and low profile
3. Build with materials I already have on hand
#688
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 103
Likes: 7
From: Tennessee
Bikes: 1986 Raleigh Technium 440, 1989 Bianchi Alante, 1991 Specialized Sirrus
Here's mine I built on an old Pacific Cycles Kid trailer (now InStep) we purchased from a thrift store nearly 18 years ago. I used the kid carrier as a beach/fishing cart after my 3 children were to big to be carried in it. About three years ago the fabric was frayed and brittle and the cruddy 16 inch tires had seen better days. I took the trailer apart and saved all the misc nuts and bolts along with the frame. Repurposed a platform I made out of Meranti plywood to carry snow ski's on top of our Traverse; cut it down to fit the PC frame, added sides and built two wheels using the 26"tire/rim sets off an old Mtn bike and 2 Maillard rear hubs I had lying around. I also added rod carriers and a flag mount. Tow bike is a Raleigh Technium 440 I converted to a single speed last year. Enjoy the pics!

Started the cargo box; checking for fit before bolting on and painting the frame

rebuilt the tonge

Day before we left for the Gulf

Maillard hub

section of frame from a old Hobie Fish Cat


Cart on the beach at Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore


Two of my sons holding the fully loaded rig before heading back to camp at Fort Pickens
Best regards
Rod

Started the cargo box; checking for fit before bolting on and painting the frame

rebuilt the tonge

Day before we left for the Gulf

Maillard hub

section of frame from a old Hobie Fish Cat


Cart on the beach at Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore


Two of my sons holding the fully loaded rig before heading back to camp at Fort Pickens
Best regards
Rod
Last edited by rodteague; 07-30-19 at 04:29 AM.
#689
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 430
Likes: 15
From: Puyallup, WA
Bikes: Tout Terrain, Panamericana
How I roll
Bike and Trailer https://imgur.com/a/DKpcF0a
https://imgur.com/a/zXXlyuv
https://imgur.com/a/3w6izz7
Check out 70 miles w/front panniers & trailer on Relive!https://www.relive.cc/view/g37290970278
https://imgur.com/a/zXXlyuv
https://imgur.com/a/3w6izz7
Check out 70 miles w/front panniers & trailer on Relive!https://www.relive.cc/view/g37290970278
#690
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 430
Likes: 15
From: Puyallup, WA
Bikes: Tout Terrain, Panamericana
How I roll
Bike and Trailer https://imgur.com/a/DKpcF0a
https://imgur.com/a/zXXlyuv
https://imgur.com/a/3w6izz7
Check out 70 miles w/front panniers & trailer on Relive!https://www.relive.cc/view/g37290970278
https://imgur.com/a/zXXlyuv
https://imgur.com/a/3w6izz7
Check out 70 miles w/front panniers & trailer on Relive!https://www.relive.cc/view/g37290970278
#692
Senior Member

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Chattanooga, TN
Bikes: Trek 330 Elance Fixed Gear, Raleigh Marathon, Raleigh Sports

Picked up this Trek branded trailer for 20 bucks at a yard sale. I ripped off the canopy, added some scrap particle board, and then finished it off with some eye bolts for straps. At $23.86 all in, I’m happy.
#693
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 701
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2017 Co-op ADV 1.1; ~1991 Novara Arriba; 1990 Fuji Palisade; mid-90's Moots Tandem; 1985 Performance Superbe
Child Trailer Conversion to Flatbed
I had an old Pacific Cycles Instep kiddie trailer that had been in the sun too much and all the nylon was rotten. I stripped off the topworks and used Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage 48 in. x 16 in. Wire Shelf material for a flatbed, secured by stainless steel hose clamps. For the dimensions of my trailer, I was 1" short of getting by with just one 48" shelf; had to buy two of them.

Conversion to flatbed trailer.
I subsequently added reflectors and red rear LED light mountings.
I've been using it for loads that I can't handle in my baskets for the past year and it has worked well. The multiple connection options afforded by the grating makes securing diverse loads simple.
Some examples:

Grocery run mode with laundry basket secured by bungee cords.

Loose cargo secured by bungee cords, partially removed.

Pet hauling mode.

Dolly mode for long loads.
P.S.
After about 2 years of operation I found that the shelving material failed as follows:

Fatigue failure on small diameter strand.
In retrospect I should have strapped down the large diameter material, which is what I've done for the repair:

Better to clamp to large diameter on shelving.
A good feature of the hose clamps is that it can all be rebuilt if needed.
Rebuild Note: After about 3 years of service, I could see that the aluminum frame was being damaged by a shelving member that I had not secured:

Rubbing damage where the old shelving was not secured to the frame.
In addition, the old shelving was pretty beat up due to times I'd loaded heavy objects without putting down some protection. I've now got a piece of 1/4" plywood cut to the size with some heavy twist ties that I use when I'm carrying heavy point loads. I decided to replace the shelving while I was fixing the rubbing damage.

Condition of old shelving material, due to moving point loads without using 1/4" plywood cover.
I installed a protective bracket to prevent the rubbing damage:

Joint protected by a bracket and now secured.
The big lessons learned so far are a) make connections as much as possible to the large diameter members of the shelving and b) use something to spread point loads.

Conversion to flatbed trailer.
I subsequently added reflectors and red rear LED light mountings.
I've been using it for loads that I can't handle in my baskets for the past year and it has worked well. The multiple connection options afforded by the grating makes securing diverse loads simple.
Some examples:

Grocery run mode with laundry basket secured by bungee cords.

Loose cargo secured by bungee cords, partially removed.

Pet hauling mode.

Dolly mode for long loads.
P.S.
After about 2 years of operation I found that the shelving material failed as follows:

Fatigue failure on small diameter strand.
In retrospect I should have strapped down the large diameter material, which is what I've done for the repair:

Better to clamp to large diameter on shelving.
A good feature of the hose clamps is that it can all be rebuilt if needed.
Rebuild Note: After about 3 years of service, I could see that the aluminum frame was being damaged by a shelving member that I had not secured:

Rubbing damage where the old shelving was not secured to the frame.
In addition, the old shelving was pretty beat up due to times I'd loaded heavy objects without putting down some protection. I've now got a piece of 1/4" plywood cut to the size with some heavy twist ties that I use when I'm carrying heavy point loads. I decided to replace the shelving while I was fixing the rubbing damage.

Condition of old shelving material, due to moving point loads without using 1/4" plywood cover.
I installed a protective bracket to prevent the rubbing damage:

Joint protected by a bracket and now secured.
The big lessons learned so far are a) make connections as much as possible to the large diameter members of the shelving and b) use something to spread point loads.
Last edited by flangehead; 05-31-22 at 10:12 AM. Reason: Add pet hauling mode. Add post script. Add dolly mode. Add rebuild note.
#695
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Vashon Island, Washington
Bikes: Customized Virtue with HillTopper electric assist, and BOB trailer
Can't see the photos
Post them if you got em'!
I'll start with mine. Based on https://www.bikesacrossborders.org/diy/trailer.html . Finally something to use those steel 27's on. The box is 132gal which is enough for whatever I would need to carry, yet I could mount another one up front if I needed to.

I'll start with mine. Based on https://www.bikesacrossborders.org/diy/trailer.html . Finally something to use those steel 27's on. The box is 132gal which is enough for whatever I would need to carry, yet I could mount another one up front if I needed to.

#696
I pulled my girl around for years. She loved it as well. Go for a ride? I'd ask her and she lit up and smiled big time! Never had any issues but after she passed I was reading how someone was talking of a friend whose pup got so e crud in her eyes and it got nasty and VERY expensive. Crud can fly off that rear wheel.
Alright, I said it and that's all.
take alot of pics so you can look back on them. They get so happy it's great. Having a trailer for my dog was one of the best things I ever did. Enjoy!
Alright, I said it and that's all.
take alot of pics so you can look back on them. They get so happy it's great. Having a trailer for my dog was one of the best things I ever did. Enjoy!
of him when I tow it.
#697
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 430
Likes: 15
From: Puyallup, WA
Bikes: Tout Terrain, Panamericana
It's not just a thermos it's a coffee press and it has a small rattle that drives me crazy. The trailer has gone through some changes since I got it. Check these out.
Full suspension mid-drive ebike and trailer evolution
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wP8vs7T5hLpNjSBX8
Full suspension mid-drive ebike and trailer evolution
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wP8vs7T5hLpNjSBX8
#699
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 102
From: Colorado Springs, CO.
Bikes: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Just built up a homemade utility trailer from a old "Burley Child Carrier Trailer", I found for cheap! Found a great TUB to put in it and got it all together and mounted up on Feb. 1. On the 2nd. we took it out for it's first Test Run and it pulls GREAT!! Sadly our almost 30 year old Ford Ranger we've had for the last 2 years is having transmission and other expensive problems so we will be "CAR FREE" again soon. We were CAR FREE for 10 years before 2019, when my lovely wife Jo had a heart attack in Jan. 2019, I made a deal with my brother for his old "junk hauler/yard" truck as due to having constant hospital and doctor/specialists visits in WINTER I need fast and convenient transportation!!!!! Now 2 years later Jo is doing very well and back to being strong enough to ride a bicycle easy! So the old beater truck was NEEDED but it's time and mission is about to end and I needed a trailer so we can get FOOD and larger items. Bit of a PIA to have to haul a trailer and bikes up stairs to our 2nd. floor apt. but it's doable. Since we are now have ONLY our meager Social Security Retirements for our sole income we can NOT even dream of affording another PU truck! As they say: what comes around goes around and for us that is true, The "RIG" as I call the bike and trailer combo will do the job now! 

The "RIG" is alive!!
LOL!


The "RIG" is alive!!
LOL!
__________________
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Last edited by bjjoondo; 11-17-21 at 08:20 AM.
#700
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 484
Likes: 50
From: NYC & Mid Hudson Valley, NY
Bikes: Fuji Del Rey, Bacchetta Giro 20, RANS Stratus XP XL, RANS Stratus XP XXL, RANS Stratus LE XL
Just remodeled my salvaged Burley Nomad with a new bed and black Rubbermaid 35-Gallon ActionPacker.


Currently on Blutus, my dual Bafang 500W hub drive LWB ecumbent, soon to be transferred to a new Stratus LE build with TSDZ2 mid drive as well as 20” Bafang front hub once that setup is complete. Just got the remaining parts so will post back upon completion with better pics!


Currently on Blutus, my dual Bafang 500W hub drive LWB ecumbent, soon to be transferred to a new Stratus LE build with TSDZ2 mid drive as well as 20” Bafang front hub once that setup is complete. Just got the remaining parts so will post back upon completion with better pics!



