should I build a pedicab trailer ???

[azbill]

wouldn't be much different than a trike
I want it as a trailer so I can do my solo thing now n then

3 + 5 yr olds can try your sanity...I need my solo rides

 

[SimpleSimon]

That recumbent pedicab is interesting. Gotta wonder how well it corners, though - steering is lean steer only, no pivot on that front wheel. The topper on that second one is as simple as it gets - bet it hasn't got a back panel - if it does it will act like a huge air brake - ouch.

What type bike do you typically tow with, Bill? If it is a 26" upright, and you want a low hitch, then the rear frame off a donor bike from the seat tube back with the dropouts spread to fit outboard of your bikes with quick releases each side (on the axle stubs), and a self centering arched frame to the seat tube set up so it can pivot somewhat would be good. Wheel size of the trailer impacts everything else in the design - keep in mind that the pedicab trailer will want to act like the rear end of a delta trike in corners - inside wheel lift, tire scrub and all. Since a powered bike as tow vehicle can attain more speed than can most riders pedalling, smaller wheels on the pedicab means a lower CoG for it, and extreme care is a requirement.

If getting the trailer indoors is not a concern, I'd go with a 3 foot finished width, and 26" wheels, with the seat height at 10-12 inches above ground. Thats enough width for two 15 inch bottoms, max.

 

[srdavo]

The Sensible Utility Vehicle, A.K.A the SUV.

That recumbent pedicab is interesting. Gotta wonder how well it corners, though - steering is lean steer only, no pivot on that front wheel.

See where it swivels, right behind the seat....

The S.U.V. handles like a lively short wheelbase recumbent. Fast, stable and easy rolling

http://organicengines.com/products/the-sensible-utility-vehicle-aka-the-suv/

IMO, for a trailer, I'd rather stay with 20" or even 16" wheels, just for overall wheel strength.

 

[azbill]

thanks guys...
I am thinking 20" wheels for the low COG
am just gonna be pulling the girls...at most 200 lbs counting any cargo as well

 

[SimpleSimon]

One two-seater trailer, up!

Here you go. In the interests of ease of construction, as designed this is all 3/4 inch thin wall rectangular tubing. Seat width is 30 inches, seat height 16 inches, with the footrest frame at 4 inches. Wheel space is 2.25 inches wide, sized for 20 inch wheels. As pictured, the back rest is a seperate frame designed to hinge from the seat (just use a pair of ordinary door hinges) and to be adjustable for angle. I've drawn in a stop that allows the seat back frame to go all the way flat - which would give you a 30" x 36"L flatbed trailer.

Make your seat cushions removable with snap buttons (any sewing shop has them) I'd use aluminum diamond plate on the footrest portion, and 1/2" AB marine plywood on the seat and back. Put an arm rest across the top od the wheel frame and down its front as a "fender", and use 1/8 or 1/4 plywood to make side panels to keep little hands out of spokes.

Hitch not drawn, as I am uncertain of just what you want there.

If you want a measured drawing, or a sketchup .skp file of this - even other views, let me know.

 

[azbill]

very cool design tyvm !!!

more detail is a generous offer

I am not very good with sketchup...but I can look at any file you wanna send

that is very close to what i was picturing...already seeing some marine-grade shade material/screening canopy for sunprotection

 

[SimpleSimon]

It's a pleasure for me. Right now I can't afford to build anything, but I definitely know how, and I'm more than happy to help. As far as a canopy goes, have you ever looked at the legs on a folding table? Same principals applied to a canopy can give you one that can fold back against itself, then fold in half height-wise, and stow behind/under the seat. Like a retractable boat canopy, really.

 

[junkyard]

for the bike hitch imagine bmx forks without the neck only twice as long that bolt onto the chainstays with u-bolts with a universal joint of sorts where the neck was going to the trailer....maybe 2 more tubes going up to the seatstays about mid way

would be stable and give you free motion to turn and tilt

if you have horizontal dropouts it would need to be removable so you could still remove the wheel but with reverse dropouts you might be able to weld it to the frame

 

[Accender]

The plans look great.
However I would never put such precious cargo on the road at 3' tall with no STEEL
to suround them. I sudgest a Chevy Tahoe until they are 100 lbs or more.
Those little gems are just to awsome to risk any mishaps.

Just my two cents

carry on

A

 

[SimpleSimon]

Risk avoidance today, responsibility avoidance tomorrow.

No thanks. Life is entirely risk, from conception on.