This is a race car-inspired bicycle trailer I made for my 2-year-old from parts of an old jogging stroller, a 55 gallon plastic barrel, some scrap wood, and a few other odds and ends.
It's fairly lightweight, and as a neighbor put it, "looks bad as hell." (Not my line, but I agree!)
It took a few months to complete, working on and off. It was painted to match an old 10-speed that I restored for my wife, and has upholstered seats, covered wheels, and a trunk to carry lunch for the family.
This open-top design works well for the age of my child, but the techniques I used to make this could be applied to make a similar child trailer in almost any form, such as to accommodate a sleeping baby, or to included some kind of canopy, for example.
Thanks for taking a look . . . and as always, let me know what you think!
It's fairly lightweight, and as a neighbor put it, "looks bad as hell." (Not my line, but I agree!)
It took a few months to complete, working on and off. It was painted to match an old 10-speed that I restored for my wife, and has upholstered seats, covered wheels, and a trunk to carry lunch for the family.
This open-top design works well for the age of my child, but the techniques I used to make this could be applied to make a similar child trailer in almost any form, such as to accommodate a sleeping baby, or to included some kind of canopy, for example.
Thanks for taking a look . . . and as always, let me know what you think!
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I had to scour my local thrift stores for many months before I found an ideal jogging stroller for this project. I picked it up for only $5 and everything was still in great condition, including the tires. It was almost a shame to take it all apart!
The rear wheels are attached to a flat piece of metal that is bolted to the stroller frame. This wheel assembly worked out perfectly for what I needed, as did the handlebars which were modified to use as the tow bar.
The rear wheels are attached to a flat piece of metal that is bolted to the stroller frame. This wheel assembly worked out perfectly for what I needed, as did the handlebars which were modified to use as the tow bar.
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I like the idea of a safety backup for the hitch, but I'd be concerned that, in the unlikely event that the primary hitch failed, the safety strap would pendulum the end of the hitch right into your spokes. Probably just an academic concern, as I have a hard time imagining the hitch failing to begin with.
Hope you make one! Do an instructable if you do. Love the manly beard. I can't manage more than so patchy scruff. Very jealous.
The trick to overcoming baldness is a hot wife that doesn't care and a nice hat. At least that worked for me.
You are right on with your other comment about low center of gravity and tongue length. These two concerns dictated where I placed the wheels and the seat. I put the wheels further toward the back with the seat in front of them and as low as possible, which makes the trailer stable and keeps the weight on the hitch. I made the tongue just long enough to clear the rear tire plus a couple inches, with enough room for right and left swing.
You should add one of those little horns with the squeezy bulb thing for your son to have fun with. Or maybe mom would nix that idea?
We thought about extras like a horn, lights, and faux gauges and such on the dash, but in the end nixed all of these ideas just for simplicity's sake.
As I was laying out the shape I wanted for this, I think I was vaguely conjuring up images of the Aston Martin DBR1, but I never took the time to look up any photos for reference. I've always liked green British roadsters, so you're right in the ballpark with the MG. Nice call!
..Not sure which one though, but it would sure be fun to make a simplified replica of an actual car. Should have done this in the first place!
Chariot Carriers makes spare parts for their cup-and-ball hitch that is the cat's pyjamas. You can install the lollipop (ball) in pretty much any trailer hitch arm, and the cup just bolts on the outside of the rear axle. It's super strong, safe, and is super easy to hitch the trailer on.
Most places that sell the Chariots will have these parts, but here's an online catalogue that has all of them, separately and as a kit:
http://www.bikekidshop.com/chariot-trailer-parts-c-197.html
We have a few kids and we like to go on long bike rides on the paved trails around our home, and this is the best way to bring along the little one that's not quite riding yet.
Yes, there are many dangers in life, and it's generally advisable to avoid them if at all possible!
I'm biased of course, but I agree with you!