Winfried

Hello

I'm looking for infos on how to build a basic trailer such as CarryFreedom's Y-Frame.

What parts + tools would I need? Is this doable even without serious skills?

Thank you.

syncro87

I bet instructables has something up your alley. www.instructables.com

just search for bike trailer in the search box.

Nightshade

I built this trailer out of lumber scraps, found parts with simple hand tools over a weekend in the 1980's and still use it today.

Cost me less than $25 for everything that I could not scrounge or recycle.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/b...#axzz2iwrsFjkV

Winfried

Thanks for the links.

tim24k

Why don't you just find a old used Burley kid trailer off of Craigslist and convert it? I see them selling for around $40.00 or less all the time. You can hardly build it for that.

fietsbob

what tools do you own now?

Working space? shed, garage or apartment ? ... or on a boat?

MichaelW

The Y frame is a flatbed style that you can use to attach almost anything. It is far more versatile than converted child-carrying trailers.
CarryFreedom suggest a field-expedient repair of a broken aluminium frame by replacing with steel. Most village-scale agricultural welders can do the work.
The frame can be made from any square-section mild steel, non galvanized*. Pick one with an internal section big enough to take the lollipop bracket.
You need to bend the steel into the correct shape and hold it in place. You can make a jig using 1" ply and some blocks of wood nailed in the correct location.
Wheel attachment on the real thing is by a 2 aluminium blocks, drilled to accept a wheelchair style QR axle, and welded to the frame in good alignment. You can choose a similar method or use a BMX wheel with a more permanent axle fitting. I have thought about using a front hub with a rear axle. BMX axles come in various thicknesses, use the thickest that works.
I would suggest bending, cutting and aligning the frame yourself but letting your local welder join the bits.

*galvanized steel is dangerous to weld or braze, the zinc vapour is harmful.

gna

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...r-Warning-Long

Here's a trailer a member with skills built. It can be done. It most cases, though, it may be easier to convert an old kid trailer.

Reynolds 

This a Y-Frame type trailer I built. I used angle steel and square tubing. Dimensions are the same as Y-Frame Large. Transversal member is 1 1/8" x 1/8" angle, V-piece is 1" x 1/8" angle, longitudinal piece 1" round tube. Towing arm is 1" square tube. Bed is 10mm plywood. Wheelchair hubs relaced to 20" BMX rims. Hitch universal joint made from 1" x 1/8" flat stock.
As I don't have a tube bender, got the 90º towing arm angle by cutting and welding the square tube.
Tools used: hacksaw, files, drill press (hand drill would work too), arc welder.

tim24k

What did it cost you to build it?

Reynolds 

I couldn't tell, very little money spent, most parts I had already. For example, hubs: salvaged from old wheelchairs. Sealed bearings: used from overhauled water pumps, still good for wheels. Rims: NOS BMX, steel, 28 holes, nobody wants these anymore, a gift from my LBS. Tires: from an old BMX bike, etc.