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Large trailer?

Old 09-25-13, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo231
Can I be that guy who mentions to make sure you have enough brake on your bike to stop your trailer and what's on your trailer?
I already thought of that. My brakes are powerful enough already, but I don't plan on going much over 8mph(I just want to get there, speed is not at issue) and the few areas I might go faster on are flat and open. I just will not need to stop fast in those areas. That and I plan on slowing in areas where I might need to stop.

I have already had about 70% of the weight I want to carry in a trailer strapped to my bicycle and it did well. Hills were a bit of a problem, but I just stopped and rested for a moment part way up.
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Old 09-26-13, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Turbo231
Can I be that guy who mentions to make sure you have enough brake on your bike to stop your trailer and what's on your trailer?
Brakes? What are those?
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Old 09-26-13, 11:04 AM
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I have to admire anyone pulling 500 pounds on a 100 pound trailer. My Burley Nomad stuffed full of heavy groceries feels like a big drag behind my bike. Pulling something that weighs more than my BMW airhead is insane...and I say that with a big thumbs up to anyone with enough cojones to pull it off.

I did some web surfing to find out if there was anything like what you are talking about on the market...

...I think if I were doing this, I'd try to look closely at the design of the Haulin' Colin trailer and just scale up the dimensions to your needed size. Maybe contact that guy and see if you could pick his brain regarding what you might run into if you went larger...or maybe he'd build you a larger one. His webpage indicates he does custom work, and judging by his images, something like what you want would be no problem. Check out some of the custom work in his gallery.

https://www.haulincolin.com/trailers.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/haulincolin/




The Bikes at Work stuff looks good, too. Maybe something like their largest unit but wider.

Last edited by syncro87; 09-26-13 at 11:31 AM.
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Old 09-28-13, 08:11 PM
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Ok, I bought the wood today and will start that part, but now for the hitch.

I was thining of this for the joint, but am unsure if it would be strong enough to hold up to a 500lb load. I know the wood will do as just one 2x4 held me just fine, all 200+lbs.
https://www.amazon.com/Alcoa-GAS-32-S.../dp/B002P4ON5C

or even this

https://www.amazon.com/8-24-Standard-...rds=ball+joint

Last edited by harshbarj; 09-29-13 at 12:07 AM.
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Old 09-29-13, 04:38 AM
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Originally Posted by harshbarj
Ok, I bought the wood today and will start that part, but now for the hitch.

I was thining of this for the joint, but am unsure if it would be strong enough to hold up to a 500lb load. I know the wood will do as just one 2x4 held me just fine, all 200+lbs.
https://www.amazon.com/Alcoa-GAS-32-S.../dp/B002P4ON5C

or even this

https://www.amazon.com/8-24-Standard-...rds=ball+joint
I share your concern about the above holding up to a 500 pound load plus trailer weight. Maybe something like an outer tie rod end from a small car like a Geo?

https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sh...geo/metro.html
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Old 09-30-13, 12:09 PM
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these are heavy haul capable , though full sheets of plywood will take some careful load securing.

https://hpm.catoregon.org/?page_id=83
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Old 09-30-13, 02:00 PM
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4-500 lbs plus trailer? Seems very heavy. Stopping? Weight of load making bike unstable? I'm thinking any amount of downhill will be disaster. YRMV. Would love to see finished project and results.
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Old 09-30-13, 02:14 PM
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A trailer built to haul any large amount of weight repeatedly, I'd be thinking metal and some welding or bolts, not wood as it tends to be heavy and bulky.
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Old 10-08-13, 08:22 PM
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https://www.wicycle.com/cargo_park_pi...le_trailer.php
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Old 10-09-13, 10:44 AM
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Now I have a question of decking. I need it strong enough to hold my weight as I will be walking on it or may even have one large heavy item. Plywood it an option, but a HEAVY one. The trailer itself already weighs 85lbs and the decking would add at least another 60. Is there another option that would be strong but lightweight?
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Old 10-09-13, 10:44 AM
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Thanks for the link. The trailer itself is not big enough but the hitch gave me an idea.
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Old 10-10-13, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by harshbarj
Now I have a question of decking. I need it strong enough to hold my weight as I will be walking on it or may even have one large heavy item. Plywood it an option, but a HEAVY one. The trailer itself already weighs 85lbs and the decking would add at least another 60. Is there another option that would be strong but lightweight?
I'd think about expanded metal instead of wood. Google a phrase like "expanded metal trailer" and click on IMAGES you'll see the material in use in trailer floors and walls.
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Old 10-11-13, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by harshbarj
Is there another option that would be strong but lightweight?
Multi-wall cardboard. 5 or 6 walls is not too heavy, and should withstand as much weight as 3/8" plywood.
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Old 10-11-13, 03:55 PM
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BoB trailer's deck is expanded metal ..

there is a coroplast made in polycarbonate as well as Hexcel which is a honeycomb in the middle layer ,

and sheeting on the outer surfaces

plus aluminum diamond tread, deck plate .. and drillium ..


not to forget tensioned Canvas and truck tarp fabrics..
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