Red Baron Child's Bicycle Trailer
Intro: Red Baron Child's Bicycle Trailer
For some reason, when I edit this, it will not let me embed video - so here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BdvfXduUso to my son riding down the driveway in tow.
STEP 1: Find Materials (aka the Three Lives of Pine Boards)
Below is a list of what I used to make the little plane:
1. 1x12 pine boards (I used a handful of 30 inch long ones and two 10 feet long ones)
2. 2 wheels from Northern Tool
3. small brads (1 inch)
4. small screws (3/4 inch)
5. one L bracket (4 inch)
6. two 5 gallon buckets with lids (you really only need two lids - I just used this project to justify buying two more buckets).
7. one length of 2 inch conduit
8. assorted switches and an old alarm clock.
9. a one foot diameter concrete tube (or a compass...)
In regard to number 1 - the bookcase I had to take down had shelves thirty inches wide across and twelve inches deep - these dimensions influenced the dimensions of the plane because I didn't want to purchase any other materials.
STEP 2: Getting a Grip on the Idea
When I first had this idea, I wanted to make it with a round fuselage. That would look more realistic, so I went on the hunt for something round - I then settled on concrete tubes or pvc pipe.
When I went shopping for them, I quickly decided that was not a great idea. The pvc is pricey and they would only sell 20ft lengths of the cardboard concrete tubes which also made it a little pricey.
So I went to Home Depot and they had 12in diameter concrete tubes for less than 12 bucks - I was determined to make this work. Yet, despite my determination, it didn't work.
STEP 3: Make the Fuselage
On a side note - I am not that great at cutting straight lines if I 'eyeball' something, so I drew a line straight down the concrete tube and cut it - I made sure my line was straight and even by putting it next to my door jamb. I also used a dry-erase marker thinking that I could erase any markings it left on the door jamb. I also found out that dry-erase markers do not erase from door jambs...
The first part of making the fuselage was determining how long I wanted it. I settled for 48.5 inches long. This made it long enough for the parts not to be crowded together, but remained easy to tow and easy to turn.
I first laid one board on the ground and then built the riser for the seat. The seat is 18 inches long. At the 32 inch mark (measuring from the front), I affixed a 3.5 inch tall by 12 inch wide board and then I affixed another of the same dimensions at the 15.5 inch mark (once again measuring from the front). I then placed the board on top of it to make sure it was all flush and then affixed the sides.
The sides were 30 inch long and 12 inch wide boards. To maximize width, I didn't place these on top of the bottom board - rather beside. This kept the inside 12 inches, but reduced the height to around 11 inches (the boards are 3/4 inch thick and the 12 inch boards are actually about 11 5/8).
On the front of the fuselage and the back of the seating compartment, I cut two boards to fit on the ends. The front and the end measure 12 3/4 inches wide and the front is the full width of the 12 inch boards and the back is actually 13.5 inches.
Next, I drilled a hole in the front with a 1/2 inch drill bit - I measured it to drill the hole dead center. This will be where your propellor is attached.
STEP 4: Make the Wings
Then ends are rounded - this is where I actually got to use my concrete tube that I bought and could not use as a fuselage.
STEP 5: Make Tail Wing
The end is rounded off just like the wings - I used the concrete tube to set an outline to trace. Then I cut it with a jigsaw.
STEP 6: Make Tow Arm
To bend the conduit, first measure the length you need - I cut a length of 53 inches. The bend is at the 20" mark. I laid the pipe on the ground and then drove my car on top of the pipe. Then I went to the end of the pipe and lifted. I bent it about 20 degrees. By bending it at the 20" mark, this gives almost ten inches of straight pipe in front of the plane before it starts to bend. This allows you to make sharp turns without having your bike wheel hit the trailer.
To attach the tow arm to the bike, I just threaded an eye hook through the small hole in my bike where you normally attach a rear rack. I then drilled a hole through the end of the conduit and put a bolt through it. The bolt slips into the eye of the eyehook - then I attach a nut and start riding.
STEP 7: Make Dash
Once you cut out a half-circle shape piece of anything, paint it black and layout your buttons. I guess if you are a good artist, you could draw on the dials - I just used some toggle switches I had laying around and an old alarm clock. I wired it to hook up to a piezo buzzer, door chime and flashing lights, but there was no need. My son just likes to mash all of the buttons.
44 Comments
PitStoP 11 years ago
I read a comment about safety and before I read it I was thinking that maybe adding a roll cage around the cockpit making it look like windows and maybe adding plexiglass on it. That and a seat belt should make it a little safer in the case it will flip over. Just a thought incase someone desides to build one. I like to think of safety when it come to making things for kids. Just a thought I had!
This is a great instructable build. Makes me want to go and build one!
That propeller would be so cool if it rotate with the air when in motion.. =) Great choice of color too.. It reminds me of the Red Baron Biplane! So cool...
cloudcat 12 years ago
rgriffin83 12 years ago
fischer99 12 years ago
Since you are selling them, what type of safety regulations do you have to abide by? I know about the harness, reflectors, fail-safe on the hitch.. but if there are any docs or sites you could recommend i would appreciate it. police can be pretty anal around here. i'd like to make sure it's safe and legal.
Thanks
3366carlos 13 years ago
javajunkie1976 13 years ago
yosusie 13 years ago
Although, if the kid's in a Red Baron plane, he'll top everyone!
javajunkie1976 13 years ago
yosusie 12 years ago
SHIFT! 12 years ago
thebigdavester 13 years ago
ilpug 13 years ago
tmherrin 13 years ago
ilpug 13 years ago
DarkRubyMoon 13 years ago
ilpug 13 years ago
vigothecarpathian 13 years ago
DarkRubyMoon 13 years ago
vigothecarpathian 13 years ago
farzadbayan 13 years ago
Looks so funny for ride in the park !