Looks nice. Remember, all trailers handle great when they're empty, so test it out with a big load.

Picked up a Croozer Cargo a few days ago, first use: Refilling the propane tank for my BBQ. I am going to be sending them an email...

Why call it a "cargo trailer" if it had no real tie-down areas to stabilize the load?

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...5_1024x681.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...6_1024x681.jpg

Seriously, I think there should be cut outs in the side fabric walls to use as tie-down locations. As it is, you can only sort of secure something to the front, or back of the trailer, far from where it should be placed.

Otherwise, I do like it. It handles well, and while a bit heavy, is barely noticeable around with my heavy bike.

It's a nice looking trailer. I looked up its specs



Weight 11.4kg / 25lb
Weight capacity 30kg / 66lb


which is not a terribly impressive weight:capacity ratio. A bicycle weighs 25lbs and can carry 200lbs. I wonder about its stability as the approx 8" of ground clearance is rather more than is necessary for most hauling.



HandsomeRyan's Wike trailer:

• Max Payload - 125 lbs/50kgs
• Weight in lbs. - 18 lbs

A much greater weight:capacity ratio. I can only imagine Croozer are being very conservative about their trailer's abilities, as it looks like it should easily match the Wike in terms of hauling abilities... Is there some sort of 'false-advertising law' at work here?

Here's a suggestion for adding tie-downs to the Croozer. Find a rubbermaid storage tote that fits nicely inside. Drill several holes around the the tote about 2 inches from the top. Attach rope loops through each hole and make a big knot on each side hole to secure. This gives you places to hook on to. I've been using polypropelene rope loops to tie down some big loads and it seems indestructable. The tote might even increase the weight limit of the Croozer.

I know the weight:capacity ratio isn't great, and I already know why:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...-2_511x768.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3_1024x681.jpg

It uses a thin plastic floor rivetted to the steel frame. My guess this was done as a weight savings measure, while believing that no one really loads 100+ lbs of stuff into a bike trailer.

Good thing for me then, that I have some 1/4 aluminum plate hanging around somewhere should I feel the need to "improve" on the weight capacity of this thing....and looking at it closely now, I think I might. The front rivets have no washers on them, and have already begun to pull through on the plastic.

Now I am not happy. Sending an e-mail to Croozer asking what's up with this.

Ah, a flaw in the design (pardon the pun). What do you think about the stability? I thought I had a good feel for engineering a trailer but my first trailer was quite unstable. Ever since then I've been suspicious of trailers that have a bed at the same height as the axles.

I also sympathise about the lack of attachment points. The more the merrier. Bungee cords and trailers go together like strawberry and cream.

Hi,

Thanks to all for posting great photos of your trailers. I borrowed liberally from your ideas.

Here is my attempt at a home-made trailer. It's made from fairly thin-walled mild steel tubing and some old bicycle tires from junker bikes. I used a conduit-bender for the curves and an oxy-acetylene torch from the local university for the welding. The design is intended for hauling heavy loads with no car. Seems to work well so far. My next modification will be to weave some mesh hammocks for carrying groceries.

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1249057019

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1249057235

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1249057267

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1249057308

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1249057355

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1249057382

Stability is fine actually. Even with badly loaded weight such as with a full propane tank right on the front of the trailer. Also good when packed with 3 loads of laundry. Even headed down hill, top gear, no wobbles, shimmies, etc. The front of my LHT feels a little light, but I also have panniers on the back.

Here you go....

The photo has my trailer hooked up to my motor assisted bicycle, but I pull it with my pedal bike when needed as well.

How's that work?
 

I just sold one of my little red trailers to a guy with a motor assisted bike. He was planning to drive the whole set-up from Minneapolis to Sturgis South Dakota! ( about 250 Miles? I'm not sure how that tranlates into Km.) I'm curious abour the long time use of a trailer on a motor-assisted bike.

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

----------

Here's a shot of my trailer:

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3492/dscf5830small.jpg

more info: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=555411

I'll post again when it's painted.

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.

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 http://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.

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1251006092

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

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

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.

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!

http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer1.jpg


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.


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer2.jpg


Close-up of the hitch.


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer3.jpg


Looking down on the hitch.


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer4.jpg


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


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer5.jpg


Bottom view, showing full gusseting of the frame.


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer6.jpg


Fishplated the drawbar to deck connection.


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer7.jpg


The hitch attachment to the trailer.


http://jens-home-renovation.no-ip.in...e/trailer8.jpg

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?

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

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)

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.

Hi guys here is my frame I built

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

Custom Made Trailer
 

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.

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?

Hitch and weight...
 

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.

Re: Wheel Attachment
 

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.

Just built a trailer:

http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users...MG_2934-tn.jpg

http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users...MG_2936-tn.jpg

http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users...MG_2937-tn.jpg

http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users...MG_2939-tn.jpg

http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users...MG_2940-tn.jpg

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!

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

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/phot..._11660779.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/phot..._11660818.jpeg

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/phot..._11660781.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/phot..._11660782.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/phot..._11660783.jpeg

Mobile House
 

What about this quirky idea for a trailer.

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

Regards
Tom

Yakima Tot Rod turned Heavy Hauler
 

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.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...1107091055.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...1107091057.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...107091057a.jpg

Nicely done!
I like the roll up floor design.