Comments on: Custom bike trailer http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/ Random wanderings and wonderings Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:45:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-10588 Val Dodge Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:50:46 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-10588 I used 1/16" wall tubing; it's plenty strong enough. In my informal and basic testing, a 4-foot tube supported at the ends was able to support my weight (a lot more than 150 lb) in the middle. It flexed, but didn't buckle or permanently deform. I figure that the three short transverse tubes that carry the bed and the four lengthwise tubes that transfer the load to the wheels are more than strong enough to carry anything I'd realistically want to pull. It's also worth noting that the tongue assembly supplied with the Wike kit probably won't fit into 1" tubing with a 1/8" wall. I considered all kinds of materials for the bed, ranging from plywood to aluminum grill. I went with oak primarily because I had some extra lying around and really like the way it looks. My very first loaded ride with the trailer was in the rain and I had no problems with spray at all. The wheels are far enough back and out to the side that neither I nor the cargo is in the spray zone. If it was a problem, I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to mount a couple of fenders from the side tubes. I used 1/16″ wall tubing; it’s plenty strong enough. In my informal and basic testing, a 4-foot tube supported at the ends was able to support my weight (a lot more than 150 lb) in the middle. It flexed, but didn’t buckle or permanently deform. I figure that the three short transverse tubes that carry the bed and the four lengthwise tubes that transfer the load to the wheels are more than strong enough to carry anything I’d realistically want to pull. It’s also worth noting that the tongue assembly supplied with the Wike kit probably won’t fit into 1″ tubing with a 1/8″ wall.

I considered all kinds of materials for the bed, ranging from plywood to aluminum grill. I went with oak primarily because I had some extra lying around and really like the way it looks.

My very first loaded ride with the trailer was in the rain and I had no problems with spray at all. The wheels are far enough back and out to the side that neither I nor the cargo is in the spray zone. If it was a problem, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to mount a couple of fenders from the side tubes.

]]> By: George P. http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-10582 George P. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:01:13 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-10582 Hi, Val: Thanks for all the helpful information you've provided on your Wike. I just received my DIY kit and am now planning my construction, but would like to ask you a few questions first: 1. What's the thickness of your aluminum square tubing? Wike told me that the 150 lb. capacity is what the axles/wheels can withstand, not about the framing. Still, I wonder whether 1/16" will do or whether I should get the stronger (and heavier) 1/8" tubing. I want the option to carry very heavy loads but I don't want the thing to weigh a ton. 2. Did you consider other materials/options for the trailer bed? My plan is to use a single piece of either aluminum tread brite or a suitable thick piece of all-weather plastic and mount it with the connectors turned "upside down" so that I have one large 2' x 4' flatbed with no gaps on the sides. Then I'm thinking of adding some more tubing and plastic connectors (such as those sold by Esto: http://www.estoconnectors.com/) onto the flatbed to create a fence to keep my cargo contained. (Again, I'm trying to keep overall weight in mind.) Speaking of Esto, their 1-inch "hexagon connector" (http://www.estoconnectors.com/index.php/connectors/detail/pn-532306/) could serve as a nice mount on the front of the trailer for a removable pull handle using another piece of aluminum tube bent at 135 degrees of about 30-36" (like a longer version of the trailer arm). 3. Have your ridden in the rain with your trailer? If so, has not having fenders on it posed a problem with excessive spray? Any other weather-related issues you've encountered? Hope you're still enjoying your Wike; I'm looking forward to getting mine completed and on the road. George P. Hi, Val:

Thanks for all the helpful information you’ve provided on your Wike. I just received my DIY kit and am now planning my construction, but would like to ask you a few questions first:

1. What’s the thickness of your aluminum square tubing? Wike told me that the 150 lb. capacity is what the axles/wheels can withstand, not about the framing. Still, I wonder whether 1/16″ will do or whether I should get the stronger (and heavier) 1/8″ tubing. I want the option to carry very heavy loads but I don’t want the thing to weigh a ton.

2. Did you consider other materials/options for the trailer bed? My plan is to use a single piece of either aluminum tread brite or a suitable thick piece of all-weather plastic and mount it with the connectors turned “upside down” so that I have one large 2′ x 4′ flatbed with no gaps on the sides. Then I’m thinking of adding some more tubing and plastic connectors (such as those sold by Esto: http://www.estoconnectors.com/) onto the flatbed to create a fence to keep my cargo contained. (Again, I’m trying to keep overall weight in mind.)

Speaking of Esto, their 1-inch “hexagon connector” (http://www.estoconnectors.com/index.php/connectors/detail/pn-532306/) could serve as a nice mount on the front of the trailer for a removable pull handle using another piece of aluminum tube bent at 135 degrees of about 30-36″ (like a longer version of the trailer arm).

3. Have your ridden in the rain with your trailer? If so, has not having fenders on it posed a problem with excessive spray? Any other weather-related issues you’ve encountered?

Hope you’re still enjoying your Wike; I’m looking forward to getting mine completed and on the road.

George P.

]]> By: Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-9812 Val Dodge Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:48:49 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-9812 The crosspieces are shown in two of the pictures toward the end (numbers 10 & 11), before the oak slats are fastened to them. The wooden pieces are attached to the aluminum bars with self-tapping screws. The whole thing weighs about 30 pounds. That's a bit more than twice the weight of my BOB Yak trailer. The crosspieces are shown in two of the pictures toward the end (numbers 10 & 11), before the oak slats are fastened to them. The wooden pieces are attached to the aluminum bars with self-tapping screws.

The whole thing weighs about 30 pounds. That’s a bit more than twice the weight of my BOB Yak trailer.

]]> By: Scott Murray http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-9807 Scott Murray Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:57:58 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-9807 Hello Val, Very nice trailer, I don't see where the cross members are. I understand where they are under the long slats U just can't see them in any of the pictures. What do you think it weighs? Scott Hello Val,

Very nice trailer, I don’t see where the cross members are. I understand where they are under the long slats U just can’t see them in any of the pictures.

What do you think it weighs?

Scott

]]> By: Emitt D.Dixon http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-8854 Emitt D.Dixon Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:48:04 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-8854 Check this out. Check this out.

]]> By: Emitt D.Dixon http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-8853 Emitt D.Dixon Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:46:49 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-8853 I like that trailer, it looks like you could do some serious carrying with it. ttp://picasaweb.google.com/EDixon250/NewBoldGoldTrunk?feat=directlink I like that trailer, it looks like you could do some serious carrying with it.

ttp://picasaweb.google.com/EDixon250/NewBoldGoldTrunk?feat=directlink

]]> By: Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-8774 Val Dodge Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:59:43 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-8774 Because it connects to the bike at the rear axle, the length of the tow bar is determined primarily by the size of your rear wheel. Looking at the Kona Ute, you may want a bit of extra clearance because of how far back the rear rack extends. The best approach is to do a dry fit and see what you prefer. Because it connects to the bike at the rear axle, the length of the tow bar is determined primarily by the size of your rear wheel. Looking at the Kona Ute, you may want a bit of extra clearance because of how far back the rear rack extends. The best approach is to do a dry fit and see what you prefer.

]]> By: OptOut EnMasse http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-8768 OptOut EnMasse Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:13:05 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-8768 I'm adding this to my cargo bike (Kona Ute). See any modifications that would need to be made given the different dimensions of longtails? Perhaps just tweak the tow bar? I’m adding this to my cargo bike (Kona Ute). See any modifications that would need to be made given the different dimensions of longtails? Perhaps just tweak the tow bar?

]]> By: Ben http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-8483 Ben Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:07:37 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-8483 It looks to be sturdier than the Burly trailer too It looks to be sturdier than the Burly trailer too

]]> By: Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-7655 Val Dodge Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:01:02 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-7655 Well, big boxes of cat litter are something I buy regularly that I can't just lug home on foot or bungee onto my bike rack. After Pet Valu moved from 30 lb boxes to 40 lb boxes last year, I was only able to carry one box at a time on my Yak, which made it less practical to use a trailer rather than pop over with the car. It was definitely one of the primary requirements that convinced me to consider getting a bigger trailer. As for the beer, Wike gives their kit a carrying capacity of 150 lb. If a 2-4 weighs about 25 lb, that would be six cases. Perhaps more importantly, it can carry at least a two-month supply of Haagen Dazs. Well, big boxes of cat litter are something I buy regularly that I can’t just lug home on foot or bungee onto my bike rack. After Pet Valu moved from 30 lb boxes to 40 lb boxes last year, I was only able to carry one box at a time on my Yak, which made it less practical to use a trailer rather than pop over with the car. It was definitely one of the primary requirements that convinced me to consider getting a bigger trailer.

As for the beer, Wike gives their kit a carrying capacity of 150 lb. If a 2-4 weighs about 25 lb, that would be six cases. Perhaps more importantly, it can carry at least a two-month supply of Haagen Dazs.

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