#11
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Parcel trailer?
Hi,
Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote: Seen those around, look highly functional. However, no gottum bucks for new trailer. Must save pennies and purchase used. Kiddie trailers are commonly available in these parts in used condition. So my question relates to practicality of modifying a kiddie trailer to carry the load. Sturdy enough to support 80 lbs? Enough room for 24'' square parcel between the wheels? The BOB trailer is probably one of the best for long-distance touring, even all-terrain-touring. For a quick trip to the post office it might be overkill ;-) Have a look at the Carry-Freedom Trailer (something like this). It is supposed to be really good, although some say you have to replace the coupler. With a similar approach (and a lot of extra wishes) I've built my own trailer and it performs quite well. Basically I got two wheels for a child-buggy (click-on-10mm-axle type). Next I got myself the corresponding axle (was a bit of running around, though - check out your local kids stuff stores). Place the wheels on the axle to identify the size of your loading platform and build a sturdy wooden (or else) box to fit. I built that box with low side-walls so that my load doesn't shift into the wheels. The axle is easily attached to the box with some sheet metal (prefabricated from the local DIY store with pre-drilled holes). An aluminium pipe and some more of that sheet metal stuff make a nice handle to which the coupler attaches. The "handle" is attached to the box with two scrap pieces of wood, so that it's quite stable. I've built mine with the wheels far back, so I can also use it as a hand-cart. In the current configuration I've transported loads of ~35kg (over 70 lbs, though I think I could improve on this with better axle attachments). It's quite a hazzle to get all the parts, but the assembly is simple. Be sure to understand the different methods of attaching the hitch to the bike, some trailers attach to your seat post and others attach to the left side of your rear wheel. The latter is mostly regarded as "better", because it has less influence on bike handling... Have fun... |
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#12
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Parcel trailer?
On 11/13/2008 8:17 AM Bernhard Agthe wrote:
Be sure to understand the different methods of attaching the hitch to the bike, some trailers attach to your seat post and others attach to the left side of your rear wheel. The latter is mostly regarded as "better", because it has less influence on bike handling... Hm. Left side of the rear wheel could get crowded, already having a kick stand back there. I'll need to study this whole trailer idea some more. Maybe handy plans on the interwebs. -- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Bend, Oregon |
#13
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Parcel trailer?
Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
On 11/13/2008 4:53 AM !Jones wrote: On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:07:57 -0800, in rec.bicycles.tech Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote: Every so often I have to haul a parcel to the post office. Smaller parcels fit into my handlebar basket, but I have these larger ones that occasionally need a lift. They are 24'' square and about 15'' tall. Weigh about 80 lbs. I'd like to find a little trailer for this. Used kiddie trailers are frequently craigslisted around here, but I dunno how easily one could be modified into a flat platform, whether they are hefty enough for a load like this, or, with the tent top removed, are commodious enough for a 24'' square box within. Has anyone here on this NG invented this wheel already, or has a bike shop that sells Burly or similar that might be able to advise? My favorite is BOB. http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/ Seen those around, look highly functional. However, no gottum bucks for new trailer. Must save pennies and purchase used. Kiddie trailers are commonly available in these parts in used condition. So my question relates to practicality of modifying a kiddie trailer to carry the load. Sturdy enough to support 80 lbs? Enough room for 24'' square parcel between the wheels? I have a BOB, I don't remember the max load, I use it to carry a car (marine, actually) battery. At 50 lb I think this is pushing the envelope. I built a trailer from wood scraps and a couple of 26" front wheels. I lag bolted a frame from 2x3's (rectangle with 2 cross members for "wheel wells"), used HW store perforated angle stock to act as dropouts, made a "Z" shaped tongue (2x3 gusseted), and used a piece of PVC slipped over the seatpost bungee'd to the tongue with innertubes. I use this trailer to pull a 10.5' rowboat, total payload over 150lb. Made it in a couple of hours with drill/screwgun & hand/hacksaw. http://tinyurl.com/69hule I'm sure it would be practical to modify a kiddie trailer to carry cargo, but knocking one together from scratch isn't very hard. |
#14
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Parcel trailer?
On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:57:15 -0800, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
wrote: On 11/13/2008 4:53 AM !Jones wrote: On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:07:57 -0800, in rec.bicycles.tech Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote: Every so often I have to haul a parcel to the post office. Smaller parcels fit into my handlebar basket, but I have these larger ones that occasionally need a lift. They are 24'' square and about 15'' tall. Weigh about 80 lbs. I'd like to find a little trailer for this. Used kiddie trailers are frequently craigslisted around here, but I dunno how easily one could be modified into a flat platform, whether they are hefty enough for a load like this, or, with the tent top removed, are commodious enough for a 24'' square box within. Has anyone here on this NG invented this wheel already, or has a bike shop that sells Burly or similar that might be able to advise? My favorite is BOB. http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/ Seen those around, look highly functional. However, no gottum bucks for new trailer. Must save pennies and purchase used. Kiddie trailers are commonly available in these parts in used condition. So my question relates to practicality of modifying a kiddie trailer to carry the load. Sturdy enough to support 80 lbs? Enough room for 24'' square parcel between the wheels? Here is pic of my dumspter trailer that I turned into a grocery trailer: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=wv34b4&s=4 Here is picture of the hitch I married to the old trailer: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2ah5iyh&s=4 This is where I was able to purchase the hitch: http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/index.php I found the kid trailer in a heap of trash and stripped it down so it was just a square platform with wheels. This trailer did not have a hitch when I found it so I took one of the canopy support arms and cut it to size and attached to the left side of the trailers with bolts. I then bought a very safe hitch system from a company on the internet and attached it to the trailer and bike. The hitch is very important safety item for any bike trailer. I also had to add a flex connector to the hitch. The hitch and the flex connector are made for burly trailers and cost around 35 dollars. Dont skimp on a decent hitch and flex connector. Then I bought the plastic tub and lid from Homedepot for about $12 bucks and some bunge cords to hold it on. Works great and easily holds 80 to 100 pounds of stuff. I know that I have filled it with groceries and a few times and pulled it with not much problem. |
#15
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Parcel trailer?
On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:57:15 -0800, in rec.bicycles.tech Mike Rocket J
Squirrel wrote: So my question relates to practicality of modifying a kiddie trailer... Well, my answer did not address your question. I don't sell BOB trailers, so I'm over it. Plywood is pretty practical; thus, grab one and put it to the old "acid test"... then let us know of your experience. Was it good for you, too? My guess is that it will work well enough to get a package to the USPO... and, if not, then I'd *really* like to hear about why not. Jones |
#16
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Parcel trailer?
On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:17:03 +0100, in rec.bicycles.tech Bernhard
Agthe wrote: The BOB trailer is probably one of the best for long-distance touring, even all-terrain-touring. For a quick trip to the post office it might be overkill ;-) BOB is great... once you're underway. They suck when you're loading them. If you're going to load once, then carry a distance over any terrain, you can't beat 'em. Dynamic stability - BEST! Static stability and maneuvering - they suck grommets! Jones |
#17
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Parcel trailer?
On 11/13/2008 2:31 PM !Jones wrote:
On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:57:15 -0800, in rec.bicycles.tech Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote: So my question relates to practicality of modifying a kiddie trailer... Well, my answer did not address your question. I don't sell BOB trailers, so I'm over it. Plywood is pretty practical; thus, grab one and put it to the old "acid test"... then let us know of your experience. Was it good for you, too? My guess is that it will work well enough to get a package to the USPO... and, if not, then I'd *really* like to hear about why not. You betcha. -- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Bend, Oregon |
#18
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Parcel trailer?
Chalo wrote:
gnu / linux wrote: Mike Rocket J Squirrel I'd like to find a little trailer for this. Used kiddie trailers are frequently craigslisted around here, but I dunno how easily one could be modified into a flat platform, whether they are hefty enough for a load like this, or, with the tent top removed, are commodious enough for a 24'' square box within. Bob caus... works 4 me Hr u go: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=18733 Chepr thn bob. How does that attach to the bike? I was expecting to see a BOB-style skewer, but the Nashbar pictures look very, very weird. |
#19
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Parcel trailer?
Hi,
Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote: Hm. Left side of the rear wheel could get crowded, already having a kick stand back there. I'll need to study this whole trailer idea some more. Maybe handy plans on the interwebs. Dont worry about the left side getting crowded as long as you only have a kick stand and a trailer hitch. Imagine having a stand, two hitches and a coaster brake ;-) It worked fine for me, until my bike managed to break the kick stand (trailer was not attached) - and now I have a massive two-leg stand ;-) Look out for Carry Freedom (something like that), they should have a manual "how to build your own trailer" and google for "bamboo bicycle trailer". Have fun! |
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