Introduction: 4 Wheel Bike Trailer, Version 2
Step 1: To Be Improved...
The hitch: too long, introduces vibrations...
The axles: the handcart wheels wobble a lot
The distance between front and rear (too short)...
Not very usable: constant tuning, breakdowns, lots of wear and tear...
Step 2: Improving the Hitch
A new hitch was made, to be connected to a receiver connected to the rear wheel axle, instead of connecting to the seat post, by means of a small swivel wheel receiver. I got the idea from https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-trailer-hitch-and-fishing-rod-holder-combo/
The receiver wheel is quite small: if it will show signs of too much wear and tear, a larger size needs to be selected as replacement...
Step 3: Improving the Axles
What is wrong with this picture???
The wheels have play horizontally.
The wheels can wobble away from a perpendicular position towards the axle.
Remedy:
1: Shorten the bushing (wheel size).
2: Apply lots of grease.
3 (Perhaps later: turn new, cylindrical bushings).
Update: replaced front wheels with better, non wobbling ones: the newer handcarts of the same model use better bearings. Someone needed more space in his shed, and sold his handcart for E 4.- !:)
Step 4: Improving the Standard Size
Now, long posts of light ply material connect the 2 riding parts. They can be interchanged by posts of any size, if needed. For now, the length is ca. 2.50 m ( 10'), enough to carry full size sheets of plywood.
As long as traffic is not hindered and protruding loads are marked with a bright flag, everything seems to be legal.
Wide loads (> 1m) are not really legal. But if towed on a quiet Sunday morning, it would not create many problems. Most cops really like the looks of the trailer and don't know obscure laws about them.
There is no limit on length.
Step 5: Conclusions
1 A 4 wheel trailer is a rather difficult project. Looking at existing trailers can only tell a part of what one needs to know. Downscaling the design of big truck trailers was a great idea. But the materials used are different, sometimes imperfect; that's why some unexpected problems will probably occur.
2 If you occasionally need to transport large and odd sized loads, and cannot rely on the availability of a truck, this design will do the job!
3 Total costs. including paint: E 55.- (for the trailer, not just the upgrade).
4 This trailer works great for me!!! I have at least once a month some odd sized load to transport.
For small loads, I have my transport bags and my front transport carrier.
I will still need an intermediate, 2 wheel trailer, for taking a welding transformer, a power generator or gas powered water pump, but it would also be a nice challenge to build a bakfiets (riksha for cargo).
8 Comments
14 years ago
This project looks awesome but there isn't enough documentation of you actually making it to be a full Instructable. There are two things which you could do. 1) If you happen to have images of you making your project you can create some more steps, add those additional photos into your Instructable and then republish your Instructable. 2) If you don't have any more pictures of you working on your project, that's ok too. That just means that your project is better suited to be submitted as a slideshow. Your images are already in your library, and you can use the same text that you have already written for your Instructable so it should only take a few minutes to create your slideshow and show the world what you made! Thanks for your submission and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
14 years ago on Introduction
A trick i learned to prevent nuts from vibrating off is puting a bunch of hot glue on and around the nut
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I use Silicon RTV.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Useing lock nuts is better, either plastic lock or a full metal lock nut is more reliable.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i know that was way back when i didn't know what lock nuts were.
12 years ago on Step 5
Could you make the spar connecting the front and rear axels removeable and adjustable and an attachment for the front axel for carrying your transformer and generator. I would like to see a full instructable on this project.
13 years ago on Introduction
cool stuff :)
13 years ago on Step 4
This is a fantastic design and very practical for the serious hauler. Basically it's like two movable two-wheel dollies that you can connect at whatever length you want. You can also easily move very large (long and wide) pieces of furniture with this by extending the bed using 2x4s and putting a couple temporary crossbars on the bed to help with sideways support. thanks!