Bike Trailer

[jimmy]

OK

I have been thinking about this for a while, and I think that I really want to have a crack at it. I want to try and make my own bike trailer.

I think I have worked out a hinge system, and I have an idea for for a hitching system. While I would primarily be using this on the commuter, I want to try and make it so that it can be used on the road bike as well.

So, I think to make life easier I need to get my hands on some old bike parts. Does anyone have an old road bike or 29" mountain bike frame and fork that they don't want? I need the front forks and the chain stays or seat stays. So if the frame isn't already in pieces, it will be by the time I am finished.

Further I also need an old 20" wheel.

Everything else I am going to buy new.

I am going to base it on the design of the "MacTrailer" that was featured in Australian Cyclist.

I would do the bracket like this.

Top View

Side View

I don't think that the bracket will need to rotate on the front of the box, as the design is only a single wheel, then it would be able to lean with the bike. I don't know how this would go with cornering with a heavy load in the box. Obviously a duel link system like in the article would be a better (and more secure) mount.

Does anyone have any experience in building something like this, or know what other options I can use in designing and building something like this.

James

[weiyun]

How about picking up some pieces from the Nunnary there in North Newtown. They have lots of old bits and pieces.

[Adrian E]

The nunnery would definately the best place to look for old bike parts or you could contact Karen from Bicycle Recycle.

You might get some ideas from Moz at Mozbike.
http://www.mozbike.com/build/masstrailer/

I've also heard very positive reviews about these mysmartrolleys:
http://www.mysmarttrolley.com.au/index.html
But, of course buying one would not be as cheap or as fun as making your own.

[jimmy]

I must admit, I don't know what you mean by the nunnery.

I did a lot of research this morning, and I think I am going to go for a two wheeled design rather than a single wheel.

I have a heap of links to different home made trailer designs. So if anyone else is interested in this, let me know and I will send them on to you.

I am probably going to base my design on something like this.

My thoughts for the hitching system, is to use the bracket from a kick stand that goes on at the rear axel. Then use a hose coupling system as a quick release, attach that to a short length of hydraulic hose, which attaches to a home made universal joint and then attaches to the arm for the trailer.

The hose would give a certain amount of shock absorption and flex, and the universal joint would give the rest. I want to go for a flat bed design, but make it so that I can put a large plastic container on it for a simple conversion to a waterproof model for lots of small stuff.

I probably wouldn't make it out of timber, and see if I can make a metal framed one with a ply bed, and the plastic container would probably bolt on.

I think that this is pretty good. But there are plenty more out there.

James

edit: fixed up the links

[weiyun]

Read all about the Nunnery in Newtown here.

http://bikeclub.wordpress.com/

Lots of old bits and pieces for share.

[Adrian E]

James (and everyone else),

The Nunnery is the name for the community co-op (not for profit) bike workshop in Newtown. Its an old house that used to be owned by the church but its not anymore. Its open on Monday afternoons from around 4pm till late on Forbes St Newtown (however you get in by going down a side lane). There are heaps of dumped bikes and parts that have been donated. The bikes are fixed up by volenteers and given away to people for free. Its really good for people who are not very good at fixing bikes because it gives them assistance in learning how to fix up their bike. Its a really great project for encouraging more cycling and sustainable transport.

The webpage is at: http://bikeclub.wordpress.com/

There are heaps of old bikes and parts that you should be able to take. Its also an ideal place to donate some of your old bike bits or bikes that you no longer need.

[T-Bone]

Seems like a good idea. I'm thinking of building myself a golden wing like Eugen uses for touring. Carbon Fibre would be ideal, though i need to teach myself how to use it.

What about building a Couch trailer instead http://www.digave.com/couch/cm.htm Just think who would want a lift to Waterfall on Sunday mornings, though maybe a Tandem for it would be better.

[Simon Llewellyn]

That's an absolute classic, T-bone you could add your bike to the couch, wear your knicks to bed and you could get up half an hour later whilst someone rides you to waterfall!

[T-Bone]

Sounds like a plan, otherwise i'm sure a bed trailer would be viable. They also made this one http://www.digave.com/couch/band.htm, definitely needed a Tandem for it.

[mikesbytes]

Sounds like a plan, otherwise i'm sure a bed trailer would be viable. They also made this one http://www.digave.com/couch/band.htm, definitely needed a Tandem for it.

Can we still keep the bike down to 6.8kg ?

[yewenyi]

I took my new trailer out for it's first spin yesterday. Did you get yours built?