Bicycle Trailer Hitch

Yes, its welded but I did the butcher work and prep for welding.  Then I found an extremely cool welder and he charged me $5 to weld it up.   I honestly think that all the "no weld" hitches are, for the most part, DANGEROUS............. but you have to start someplace and the fallowing caveman tactics may just point a few people in the correct direction.  If you don't think you can bite into a welding project......... just take smaller bites!
    TOOLS: hand grinder, drill/bits, Vice-Grips, hack saw, file

Step 1: Parts

 I'm not going to get into sizes because what you find can work and not everybody needs monster strength for just going to the store.

Step 2: Get to It!

You figure your angle off the seat post...... RELAX!  It is not brain surgery and the finish angle is actually adjusted by the set screws.        Put it in a vice and make the small cuts to get your angles.  (my vice is Vice-Grips and the dumpster!)

Step 3: Tear It Up!

Again, smooth tactics here!  Your finish is cleaned up with the grinder.

Step 4: Grind and Prep for Welding.

Since I used basically GARBAGE, you need to knock off all the rust and paint before welding.  Also the zinc off of the nuts and the finish on the washers.

Step 5: Get It Welded.

Not everybody will find a welder that will only charge you $5 (DUDE, I got lucky!) BUT $20 is not much of an investment when we are talking safety.

Step 6: A Few More Hacks at It.

You want to cut your clearance for your Hyme joint (I will get to that).   If you notice in my intro photo, the note shows that i needed a little more taken off the left side after a fast test ride..

Step 7: A Few More Parts.......

My theory is that you build the trailer to the bike............ BUT my bike got ganked and the hitch went with it.  SO, the first photo is the Hyme joint.  I get these at Grainger and (they call them "ball rod ends") they come in a ton of sizes and styles.     The next is a cut up bike frame that I use to shim the set screws to the seat post (so your seat post is not damaged)     The last is a "hich pin" and some hose bib washers (to keep it quiet).

Step 8: I'm No Safety Nazi......... BUT,

You can get hurt pulling an unsafe trailer!  My last recommendation is that you sleeve your seat post with iron.   The set screws will crush a cheap seat post and Aluminum will shear off under your BUTT while in use.         But other than that, drag that sucker till the wheel comes off....... (that happened to me once!)                                                                                        Thats just how I roll.