very well done instructional vid. I like that you help people think through their own customization process rather than just giving instructions for one which may or may not be right for everyones needs.
Wow great narration with clear and concise project instruction. Excellent cinematography and location shooting. Bo the dog, played the leading role with flair and real enthusiasm Well done. Fun to watch.
Very nice. 🙂 One thing that may be worth an extra mention is the difference between 1- and 2-wheel designs. A single-wheel trailer looks stylish and slim and aerodynamic and probably presents fewer construction challenges, but a twin-wheel arrangement as shown here is infinitely more practical if you're serious about load carrying. If you're hoping to move mountains (or a really big doggie!) go for a twin-wheel trailer. In my limited experience, a (homemade) single-wheel trailer is better suited to people who are more interested in cycling than lugging cargo. If you've got 50 miles to go and 20 lbs of camping gear and water to carry, a single-wheel job will be ideal. Such a setup won't slow you down much, but don't forget that the typical load they can hold will fit in a backpack or a rear pannier. So... why tow a trailer in the first place? A twin-wheel design potentially has a load-carrying capacity of over a hundred pounds. It's great if you need to shift bulky stuff, but it will definitely slow you down. I'm not interested in style or long-distance cruising efficiency - I just want to get a month's supply of groceries home - so I'd recommend a twin-wheel trailer if you have similar needs.
Where were you when I built the trailer for our epic motorcycle trip? Damn thing almost threw me down just going up the block. We could have had cold sodas on that trip, oy! Good work pal, and looks like Bo knows a good thing.
8 issues I want to point out... 1.) DO NOT use electrical conduit tubing. It is not designed to be weight-bearing. It is made from a 2011-type aluminum, which is very weak, and why it's inexpensive. If look into using a T-5 or a T-6 aluminum, it's a lot stronger, weight-bearing, and is often the type that is used in building bicycle frames & ladders. And just throwing it in there ...if you want to use a T-7 aluminum, it's great for everything I just mentioned, and it holds up great against extreme hot & cold weather. But you'll run into assembly/repair issues if you try to gas or arc weld it. 2.) Most bicycle trailers use a 20" wheel. Please remember that the larger the wheel, the easier the ride. But try mounting the same size wheel to your trailer that you use on your bike. That way you won't have to bring 2 different types of tubes/tires with you, in-case you get a flat. 3.) It mentions in the video about using aluminum for the mounting plate and PVC for variation in the sway bar. Once again the "type" of aluminum being used comes into play. Also as far as using PVC for anything?!? ...PVC is even weaker than 2011 type aluminum, the same laws apply when it comes to crimps/cracks, and is even less weight/stress-bearing. 4.) Plywood? ...seriously?!? Even at 3/4" you'll have to take it apart and replace what will soon become is a warped board. Thus also causing your 2011 aluminum to bend/warp, therefore even more risk of damage/breakage. 5.) I quote the builder/designer: "I want to carry lots of weight" Without knowing the weight capacity of the trailer, this will more-likely result in overloading. 6.) Box cover plates also are made from a 2011 type aluminum SMH. 7.) Ever notice the difference between box trucks and dump trucks? ...dump trucks have their axle pushed waaaay back. Why? ...because things like load type/description and axle position have a bearing when it comes to vehicle's mobility/travel and not-to-mention stress on one's hitch. It would be a really good idea to apply that formula instead of just winging it ;) 8.) Just a little tip that since not all drivers are focusing their eyes to what lies less than 1 ft. from the road aka your reflectors. I-personally mount 2(1 on each side) 3-4 ft.X 1/4" poles to my DIY bike trailers, while using a 50-100 lumen pulsating lights.
I'm working on a trailer for my dogs too. Actually I was thinking of making it a sidecar. Problem is I have three large dogs, so it'd be wide. Got the whole thing built except for attaching the wheel and however it will hook up to the bike, but now I'm going back and forth on sidecar or trailer. I like the sidecar cause they'd be right next to me, and its sillier than a trailer, but a trailer seems easier to build, and I suck at everything so i usually go for the easier option
I guess the side car would be more attachment points, would likely not let you lean in the turns, and would take up more room on the side of the road maybe placing you and your dogs at more risk. Interested experiment however, good luck with that.
excellent video thankyou I have just received tow wheels just like those off ebay and because there were only one of each one left I ended up with kids wheels one of which is a girls bike and has a smaller hub and axel so my idea of welding or epoxying th one side of the wheel axels into each end of the axel 25mm tube fell short and now Im making mine just like yours with bent mounting plates each side to lock the wheels into. you could alos use pvc pipes and bends if you are attaching to a strengthening ply sheet
I would rather see an old radiator hose used instead of the PVC on the coupling. PVC is just not a trustworthy product under mechanical loads. I realize it will probably never fail and leave you stranded but still old radiator hose is easy to come by and it can only rot and never shatter.
hay people I am in norfork ne heading south on hi way 81 trying get warmer weather so I wanted to ask is there any body help me biuld a bicycle trailer I am l iveing on the road
Building a trailer that could be folded up and out of the way in a single room efficiency apartment with the basic hand tools, hammer, hacksaw, drill and small angle grinder would be a serious challenge for this poor boy. I have $60 a month I can spend on what ever my heart desires and want. I figured if I saved up for two months i could buy the 180 lb capacity Aosom cargo trailer on eBay for $92.99 as a good starter kit and still have money left over. Now to build a strong flexible inexpensive supenssion system with those same basic hand tools, hammer, hacksaw, drill and angle grinder is my new challenge. I've already installed solar panels on the cargo trailer and a controller regulator under the seat to charge the 24 volt battery packs for my 2008 Currie eZip Trailz electric bike. See my 24 volt Aosom solar cargo trailer. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mxEGgt4dXHk.html
