Bicycle Trailer Hitch - Quick Release hose coupling.

I saw this design on a folding bike and thought it awesome. I used to hitch my bike trailers with a lashed inner tube, but this is faster and more convenient. Works very nicely.

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Step 1: Obtain necessary hose and pneumatic release components.

1 x male 3/8"
1 x female 3/8"
1 x 3/8" threaded coupling.
hose to fit tight on 3/8"
2 x hoseclamps

alejandroro5 says: Jan 13, 2012. 7:18 AM

Great idea!!! Thumbs up.

jimboe55 says: Nov 7, 2011. 9:54 AM

Why does my trailer sway from side to side behind my bike?

jimboe55 in reply to jimboe55Nov 10, 2011. 5:44 PM

I found out that I had the wheels in the center of the trailer, causing it to be almost perfectly balanced. This was causing it to sway from side to side. I moved the wheels farther back, putting more weight on the tongue. This solved my problem.

BillBiker says: Jan 5, 2011. 6:08 AM

Just wanted to help here and say that , in step 4 and 5, if you were to clamp the area to be drilled flat with something it would be alot easier to drill :)

armflower says: Sep 29, 2010. 12:40 AM

this is a great idea. I know more than a hand full of folks that have been trying to figure out alternative hitch ideas,. thanks for the post..

also if you had any idea what happened after i read this <3

etymological says: Aug 16, 2010. 11:36 AM

Can you show or explain how you used to hitch with a lashed innertube?

maxwell says: Nov 18, 2005. 2:50 PM

I've been working along the same vein, i'll have to post how i built my hitches, here's pictures, on my second trailer i used a 3/8" drive rachet u- joint instead of a hose, way less surging than the hose.

JerryMopar in reply to maxwellMay 27, 2010. 4:47 PM

I like that!! Just go to Harbor freight and pick a cheepee up!

dewexdewex in reply to maxwellMay 8, 2008. 3:29 PM

That's a good source for a UJ: I'll remember that one. Trying hard to think where I'd get an aluminium one: any ideas?

chrishvid says: Mar 25, 2009. 11:06 AM

It might be worth adding safety lines through both the maie and female ends (one attached to the bike around the screw through the pipe, and one attached to the handle around the screw attached to the handle, which could be tied together and stuffed into the interior of the connection upon joining, to ensure fail-safe strength in case the whole assembly pulled apart (unlikely)...

JerryMopar in reply to chrishvidMay 27, 2010. 4:46 PM

I really dont see it ever coming apart. (yes, you are right VERY unlikely) I used to work with air tools all day fulltime at a auto repair shop (and at home) and they never came apart unless we wanted them to. This was with us putting that connection unde various stress all the time, snags, twist, bumps, drops, etc.

yoyology says: May 17, 2010. 8:58 AM

Would this work with garden hose quick-releases like these?

dinomak says: Apr 7, 2010. 8:50 AM

Anyone who has or is building a bike trailer will find that the biggest dilemma is a connection to the bike with an easy range of movement for turning. This is a fantastic idea, but are the hoseclamps strong enough to hold when pulling a heavier load? I'm sure they are if you really crank em in tight, but seems like they might slip off. Have you had any troubles?

JerryMopar says: Feb 21, 2010. 10:19 AM

I really like your design! In the I tried this with regular radiator hose, and the hose fatigued and fell apart, making the trailer gooseneck fly into the rear wheel and break at least 5 spokes as I ground to a halt. The pneumatic coupling is a excellent idea! You will be seeing this on my 2nd generation trailer.

bigtreehouse says: Aug 3, 2009. 6:41 PM

That's the coolest idea I have seen in a long time. Fixes so many issues with the trailer smacking the tire... Nice job.

Pandymoose says: Jul 6, 2009. 1:51 AM

thats ingenious...........

SureShot says: Mar 29, 2009. 11:32 AM

Very cool, I'm going to use this as a starting point for my first trailer. I'm thinking of going with one of those plastic foot-lockers so I can lock it up.

hensonkid says: Nov 18, 2005. 3:03 PM

Excellent! Do you have any trouble with the trailer (when loaded down with frosty beverages or the like) coming to a stop? I'd be worried about it bashing into my back tire. I think I'll give this one a try. All hail the grocery-bike.

saul (author) in reply to hensonkidNov 20, 2005. 2:42 AM

it was a problem at first because the hose was too long. I shortened the hose by cutting and reattaching and then it was fine.

lukefelsthompson in reply to saulDec 25, 2008. 12:45 PM

hi, im just starting a trailer tonight, got an idea for a joint with 2 skate wheels, has to be realy strong for my purposes, guess i will use it about 300 days a year with some sacks of cement and plaster and all my tools and my ladder, gee I hope I can pull it off, cant afford an 8 freight yet and I dont cant get a new one, Kinda thing I need st you back 350 euro not dollars. well I will put some photos if it works bye;.

johnpr says: Apr 9, 2008. 6:36 PM

neat post, i'll have to keep this in mind

CStanton says: Jan 31, 2008. 5:59 PM

I looked at the title and said "yeah right" I read the instructable and now say "hell yeah" Nice job. +2.