Bike Trailer

[atomichurley]

I was thinking of making a trailer for my bike so my friend can sit on it for when we need to go somewhere, i was thinking of including a seat. Do you think my engine would be powerful enough?. i have a 66cc Zbox 2 stroke engine.
Thank you

 

[Fabian]

This is my setup.

I did a test run with a total weight of 60 kilos (trailer 20 & cargo 40) hanging off the back of the bike.
I'm using a SickBikeParts shift kit allowing the use of the bikes 9 speed cassette.

With the old engine that had a modified carburettor intake pipe, i managed to get up a reasonable hill in first gear and travel at around 30 km/h on flat ground with the standard 69cc Chinese engine.

Fabian

 

[atomichurley]

nice trailer, wow you can change gears on your bike i would love to make a bike like that for my next build

 

[stevolandis]

I gots a 3d plan

I created a 3D plan that would require welding- I like your hitch idea. Could you provide some details on that? Is it strong? Does it effect the bike? Here's a link to my 3D model http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=11a4bc999455aeb0617513dddc91a065 That is a really good job- your cart looks beautiful.

-Stevo

 

[motor_head]

looks cool with the tires up inside the box

 

[Fabian]

Hi Stevo

The trailer is built out of scrap materials: right angle aluminium from the scrap yard and plywood from packing crates.

A recumbent bicycle manufacturer was having a closeout special on it's Burley dog trailers at a price i couldn't refuse.
The trailer frame and hitch mechanism formed the base of my box trailer.

I will say that the trailer could be built using lighter materials to reduce it's top heavy effects.
Having said that, the extra weight is handy when wind conditions are strong and blustery.

The storage volume is amazing and no other product on the market offers anything even close.
Two full size wheelbarrows can be emptied into the trailer and there is still room for a backpack and spare wheels.
Naturally the bikes brakes become an issue in trying to stop 60 kilos when pushing from behind.
I would not recommend anything other than a good set of disk brakes with a 200mm front rotor.

If money is not an issue my preferred choice would have to be a BoB Ibex ( http://pedal****it.blogspot.com/2008/11/bob-ibex-trailer.html )with it's excellent rear suspension.
A uni-wheel trailer is much more stable in it's towing dynamics when used for a bicycle application.

So far i've traveled 3000 kilometers, most of it with trailer attached.
I've had a few nervous moments in strong wind when towing on empty but so long as you understand the driving dynamics you can modify your riding and also trip route to compensate for conditions.

Another interesting twist on the BoB Ibex design.

http://www.speedlobster.de/galerie.html

Fabian

 

[Stink Bike]

I bought a trailer on Ebay last week for $99.00.I expect it to be delivered in a day or 2.

 

[wileydavis@gmail.com]

Hi Stevo
A uni-wheel trailer is much more stable in it's towing dynamics when used for a bicycle application.
Fabian

This is not generally true, especially with anything over 50 pounds. The biggest contributor to trailer stability is hitch location. Ideally, you want the trailer hitch to attach as closely as possible to the rear tire's contact patch. Here's a bit more info about bicycle trailer dynamics:

http://practicalpedal.com/summer2007/trailers.php

 

[BikeMan]

Ran across this 1-wheeled trailer called the oxtail.It appears like it can take a lot of abuse and can handle quite a bit of weight.Anyone own one?

http://www.oxtailbicycletrailers.com/index.html

 

[wileydavis@gmail.com]

Seat-post mounts are bad

With large loads and high speeds, seat-post trailers will severely affect your handling. The higher up the mount, the more leverage the trailer weight has to push the bike from side to side.

The most stable trailer is something like the Bongo
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/5001-wandertec-bongo-large-trailer-5001-p-378.html

or if you want a single-wheel trailer (for riding single-track and off-roading), the extrawheel is tough to beat. And because the weight is almost entirely borne by the trailer's wheel, these work just fine with full suspension mountain bikes.
http://www.extrawheel.com/en/3/faq/