Another Bike Trailer

Intro: Another Bike Trailer

Like everyone else says, do this at your own risk.

I saw an old golf bag carrier at the thrift store for $6 and worked out this project with materials in my garage.
I removed all the plastic bag holding stuff, straightened the kick out of the bottom end, and shortened up the handle and re attached it with self tapping metal screws. I love them for projects. I had some extruded "T" aluminum and made the frame out of it. At first  tried aluminum solder, but as I was working one joint popped and I teck screwed all the rest. To mount the frame to the bag cart I drilled an tapped 1/4-20 long screws and through bolted it. I reinforced the frame with struts fitting into the cart frame at the wheels. I built a bed out of corrugated plastic light panels. I had to splice a piece with sticks and clear 2 inch tape to make it fill the bed. I attached this with 3M industrial spray adhesive. I worked out the universal joint incorporating the hallow handle, fabricated "U" piece through bolted with 1/4-20 threaded stock and aircraft nuts for up and down motion. Attached to the "U" piece is an angle through bolted in the center with 1/4-20 hardware including aircraft nut for yaw movement. Then the angle piece is through bolted to the custom center hitch on the bike for turning movement. I used a 3/8 bolt with a hole drilled at the correct height to lock in the nut with a fast removable "hair pin" for ease of hook up. This was a typical project of mine such that it was a work in progress with modifications as I went along. It isn't completely finished because it needs an enclosure. I am trying to acquire an old car top clam-shell cargo carrier to mount on the frame and bed. The trailer rides really well and is very light weight. This is my first instructable, sorry it it isn't very clear. Thanks. Also I noticed the comment boxes shift from my original edit. After correcting them a couple time they seem to go where they want to.

Comments

[sam1am]

In my experience, you want the weight on your trailer as low as possible. This build looks like it puts things up pretty high.

[onemoroni1]

Your are correct. I have an updated version of the trailer and another bike. I actually added larger wheels from a jogging stroller, got run over by a car, repaired it with the claim, and am still using it. I have to take corners conservatively as I have flipped it a couple times spilling my spoils, groceries, or recycling. The kiddie trailer is much better, but mine works well too.

[kz1]

Do you ride around the neighborhood yelling, "Bring out your dead....bring out your dead." :-) Kidding. best use I've seen for a golf related thingie.

[onemoroni1]

Very well. Over 100 miles with a couple minor improvements. I need to post the upgrades. I added a large plastic storage tub secured with bungies and use the set up to collect CRV and found items. It is very light weight and tracks well, don't even know it is behind me. I have a route where some days it is two miles uphill, but manage well. The hitch assembly on the bike needs refinement as in being solidly attached to the rack. Overall works well. I can cruise about 13 mph and downhill up to 25 mph (fast as the bike will go in any condition) and it is very stable. Thanks for asking neaton1.

[neaton1]

To date, how well has this build work out?