Author Topic: An ultimate trailer? (Read 2667 times)

kerryb · « **on:** March 14, 2020, 03:54:01 PM »

I'm thinking of building a bike trailer to bring my bike back to Florida from Buffalo next winter. If I'm going to have a dedicated bike trailer, it should also support camping when the bike isn't in it. That way it could allow me to go "bike" camping in october when Buffalo weather precludes riding the last 500 miles home due to nasty rain, cold, snow.
Sure, I could buy one for the task, but I want aerodynamics (like a teardrop trailer) as well as secure parking/portable garage function. Building it myself would allow composite construction and lighter weight materials to make it easier (gas efficient) to pull.
Your opinions/ thoughts are welcome here.
p.s. I have a landscape trailer to go fetch project bikes, but it is not suitable for a nice bike on snow and salt covered roads.

Don R · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2020, 08:29:40 PM »

I've been planning a someday trailer, like the one I built for our Jr Dragsters. The bed tilted at the front of the axle so I could leave it hooked at the hitch and roll off. I was weary from picking up little race cars. The tilt was controlled by a tongue jack. I used 1/8" thick x 1 1/2" square tube, maybe should have been bigger angle iron for less fitting/welding. I used new commercial grade Extension cords for the wiring and ran it through the frame.
I'm thinking of using 40 chevy rear fenders on the new one with dexter torsion axles or Timbren stub axles, no cross bar with those so it can be low. Curved angle iron on the sides could be filled in with flat composite sheets to weather proof it, or even a V nose like the newer enclosed bike trailers.

754 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2020, 08:39:48 PM »

We should all get together and throw our ideas on the table, those of us who want to.
My idea uses stub axles on off set mounts that go down to say 7 inches off the ground then tilt the trailer rails or use a low ramp, pushing up 7 niches is not so hard.
Centerline spindle mount 15 inch wheels with car or bike rubber.. probably flat profile is desired.
Will do a little sketch soon. I have Centerlines, 4.0 wide I think

bear · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2020, 03:10:19 AM »

Quote from: 754 on March 15, 2020, 08:39:48 PM

We should all get together and throw our ideas on the table, those of us who want to.
My idea uses stub axles on off set mounts that go down to say 7 inches off the ground then tilt the trailer rails or use a low ramp, pushing up 7 niches is not so hard.

Even 7 inches is a struggle for me these days Frank.
But I desperately need a trailer, so we plane to build the chassis in three sections.
It will pivot at the tailgate and in front of the stub axles. (I hope)

The whole floor will be at ground level, with the tow hitch still attached.
I hope to use the Timbren units as well Don.

Cheers,
Brian

jgger · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2020, 12:48:50 PM »

How about mounting the suspension on some kind of a cam so the whole trailer can " kneel" for loading? Block the wheels to raise/rotate the suspension back to road ready by backing g up, and lock back into place with a pin.

scottly · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2020, 09:21:47 PM »

I think MCRider (Ron) had a trailer that allowed the deck to be lowered for loading??

Don R · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2020, 01:57:16 AM »

I saw pics of a rat rod towing a rat trailer with a rat bike on it. The thing was awesome, I should have grabbed a screenshot or something. I believe it was air bagged.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2020, 02:20:15 AM »

Tow Smart Trailers has a nice ride on design, bought the three rail version in November when they were doing a redesign. It was ready in late Jan but I wasn’t ready to go get it and I let them sell it to someone else and am in line for the late April. Wish I had gotten it in Jan now that the virus is locking down everything...
It isn’t super low but is able to be safely ridden on so it doesn’t require help loading. Ideal when you live alone.

The three place will never be a three bike due to weight and space...that is fine. The bike gear can be pulled and it is a utility trailer...
David

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2020, 01:07:38 PM »

Quote from: scottly on March 22, 2020, 09:21:47 PM

I think MCRider (Ron) had a trailer that allowed the deck to be lowered for loading??

Good memory Scott! Yes, Ron has a Rampfree....

http://www.rampfree-indiana.com/home.html

https://www.trailersauce.com/trailer-plans/ground-loading-trailer/introduction/

jgger · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2020, 05:41:53 AM »

Pretty much what I had in mind, I had not seen one before. It looks easy enough to build.

Don R · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2020, 08:08:53 AM »

My old '62 front engine dragster trailer had to be unhooked at the hitch end to load and I always worried about pushing it into the tow car. I built the next one to stay connected. It tilted on a pipe just ahead of the axle, but it was long and didn't have much slope.
It also had a fixed dolly wheel so the tongue jack would lower it to the wheel for parking by hand.

kerryb · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2020, 04:53:08 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 23, 2020, 01:07:38 PM

Quote from: scottly on March 22, 2020, 09:21:47 PM
I think MCRider (Ron) had a trailer that allowed the deck to be lowered for loading??

Good memory Scott! Yes, Ron has a Rampfree....

http://www.rampfree-indiana.com/home.html

https://www.trailersauce.com/trailer-plans/ground-loading-trailer/introduction/

That, is a very inviting idea. The scariest thing I do is put bikes up on the trailer or lift ( I ride the goldwing onto the lift table!). Now the question to answer is buy or build. I think there is room for a teardrop shaped cover on that design.
Thanks guys.

Don R · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2020, 10:23:50 PM »

I looked up trailer stuff and now there's an e trailer ad at the top of the page here! It has timberens on it. I want the ones with brake flanges, not a refit type but axle-less one. My old 40 coupe doesn't stop great even though it has disc/drums from 1974 so I use trailer brakes on anything behind it.

bear · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2020, 12:17:48 AM »

Thanks for the links Stevo

Don R · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2020, 08:35:15 PM »

I love the trailersauce blueprint. I will have a car body jig left over and it's mostly larger tube but the conversion to a few larger pieces shouldn't be an issue some day.
Thanks Stev-o and kerryb. I've posted on this in the past but this one got some awesome ideas.

dave500 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 26, 2020, 01:12:28 PM »

i built a 7x4 box trailer a few years ago and used trailer sauce for my inspiration,i made a bike holder that bolts in for it,both front and rear tailgates hinge and slip off,its a bloody great site,also built a 3 bike trailer which i sold.

Don R · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2020, 09:27:00 AM »

My brother has a farm store trailer that I made two tire chocks for, the right one may be moved to the middle for one or two bike hauling. He likes outdoor plywood over the mesh bed but it sits outside in the shade and it gets slimy. I have loaded two 750's facing front and a cl100 facing the rear.
I've used my truck ramps to load across and over the trailer and into the truck bed too. It's not too hairy if you tie the ramps down. Makes a loooong ramp with a shallow angle.

Kelly E · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2020, 09:09:40 PM »

I made a 12'x7' flatbed trailer from a free travel trailer frame with a 4500lb drop axle with electric brakes. It is totally silent even bouncing over the railroad tracks, I hate noisy trailers. I beefed it up, built railings and a winch mount, installed all new lights and built a new wiring harness and decked it in two overlapped layers of 3/4" T&G underlayment covered in bedliner. I can haul two big sport touring bikes no problem as well as my MG.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2020, 09:27:58 PM »

Nice MG and trailer

754 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2020, 09:37:21 PM »

It's a GT. A guy from school race one in get hillclimb here, V8 powered.,

scottly · « **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2020, 10:22:27 PM »

The Rover V-8 was a descendant of the aluminum Buick 215 from the early '60s. Cool little motors, but not much in the way of performance parts available at the time.

Kelly E · « **Reply #21 on:** March 29, 2020, 08:23:44 PM »

Quote from: RAF122S on March 28, 2020, 09:27:58 PM

Nice MG and trailer

Thanks

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2020, 02:33:50 PM »

Quote from: Kelly E on March 28, 2020, 09:09:40 PM

I made a 12'x7' flatbed trailer from a free travel trailer frame with a 4500lb drop axle with electric brakes. It is totally silent even bouncing over the railroad tracks, I hate noisy trailers. I beefed it up, built railings and a winch mount, installed all new lights and built a new wiring harness and decked it in two overlapped layers of 3/4" T&G underlayment covered in bedliner. I can haul two big sport touring bikes no problem as well as my MG.

That looks familiar

Don R · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2020, 10:13:01 AM »

My 69 firebird body jig, when it's raw material again, it will be my new bike trailer. I want wheel fairings ( fenders on both sides of the tires.)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6PrEpDw2tT42MKnC6

Kelly E · « **Reply #24 on:** April 02, 2020, 08:04:20 AM »

Quote from: scottly on March 28, 2020, 10:22:27 PM

The Rover V-8 was a descendant of the aluminum Buick 215 from the early '60s. Cool little motors, but not much in the way of performance parts available at the time.

A better way to go is the GM 60 degree V6 2.8/3.1/3.4 motor. they weigh within 20 pounds of the stock motor and a 3.4 is 180hp. The 2.8 that I built for my 85' GMC S-15 is around 240hp, stock it was 110hp. It is a lot of fun to drive with the suspension mods. It is very hard resisting installing that motor in my MG but I am building a 10 to 1 compression with a lightened and balanced rotating assembly MG motor for it.

754 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 02, 2020, 09:59:51 AM »

My brother had a MGB with overdrive and he was constantly going upagainst TransAm, s on the highway...that little car had legs.. I never had anything like that, had to settle for a few MGD,s....

Don R · « **Reply #26 on:** May 20, 2020, 08:48:39 AM »

Check out this trailer at 10:30

bill440cars · « **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2020, 07:54:32 AM »

Quote from: Don R on May 20, 2020, 08:48:39 AM

Check out this trailer at 10:30

Whoa, this thread is pretty interesting, lots of cool ideas & such too. And totally enjoyed this this video Don. Interesting what different sort of ways, that are used, to accomplish these builds. Truly a Talent.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2020, 04:04:17 PM »

Tow Smart Trailers makes a good ride on trailer

bill440cars · « **Reply #29 on:** May 23, 2020, 05:04:49 PM »

Whoa, these style of trailers, are really Awesome!!! I can only imagine my Dad's & my Granddad's reaction to these style of trailers. They had the skills, to have been able to build one, but back in those days, nobody had thought of those designs and the
the welder my Dad & Granddad used, was Oxygen Acetylene type, but had an acetylene generator. I don't remember the exact term for this one. I just remember what it looked like and the raunchy spell, when it had to be cleaned out. When I saw these trailers, I thought they were something else.

Don R · « **Reply #30 on:** May 24, 2020, 03:29:24 PM »

Acetylene generator must have involved carbide and water. I gas welded a lot of stuff when that's all I had to work with.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 24, 2020, 09:58:32 PM »

subscribed

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 25, 2020, 05:18:26 AM »

Man, really like that video.

Want to see what happens here.

I'm lazy, just went and bought a trailer.

bill440cars · « **Reply #33 on:** May 25, 2020, 05:05:37 PM »

Quote from: Don R on May 24, 2020, 03:29:24 PM

Acetylene generator must have involved carbide and water. I gas welded a lot of stuff when that's all I had to work with.

They had some very old equipment, have to consider that my Granddad started his shop, back in 1932. I remember asking my Dad why they had a grinder setup with a Cushman Scooter engine & my Dad told me, that it wasn't a Cushman Engine, it was actually a (are you ready for this?) Maytag Washing Machine Engine! Yeah, at one time, my Grandmother had one of those Maytag Washing Machine that was powered by a 1 cylinder gas engine and I guess, then my Granddad was able to get her an actual electric washing machine, he took the engine off of the old Maytag Washer & put it to another use. They also had an old drill press, that was hand cranked and that one had a large (what they called an inertia wheel, that helped give the power to drill a hole, with that large hand cranked drill press. I wish I had a photo of it and that grinder, but didn't think about that, back in my youth. I DO, however, have the old Atlas Lathe (with a lot of accessories & an old Black & Decker 1/2" electric drill press, from my Granddad's shop though.

Folks, my apologies, I wasn't trying to derail this thread, just adding some of the vintage equipment some folks use to use. Sorry, if I hijacked this thread.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 25, 2020, 06:21:23 PM »

Bill,is your Dad still alive,sorry I can't remember.

bill440cars · « **Reply #35 on:** May 25, 2020, 07:55:21 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 25, 2020, 06:21:23 PM

Bill,is your Dad still alive,sorry I can't remember.

No, my Dad passed away, March of 2014. I learned a lot from him, but there was so much more than I wish I could have also learned. He & my Granddad, were so experienced at doing so much & my Dad made sure I got some of that experience, but not near as much as I had hoped for. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate what mechanical education that I dig get from my Dad.

scottly · « **Reply #36 on:** May 25, 2020, 08:20:33 PM »

Hey Bill, I remember those pedal-start washing machine engines; the lady of the house should not have to yank on a rope!
My brother-in-law inherited an acetylene generator, which were used with calcium carbide and water to produce the gas at very low pressures. The same principle was used for miner lamps.

bill440cars · « **Reply #37 on:** May 26, 2020, 06:43:43 AM »

Quote from: scottly on May 25, 2020, 08:20:33 PM

Hey Bill, I remember those pedal-start washing machine engines; the lady of the house should not have to yank on a rope!
My brother-in-law inherited an acetylene generator, which were used with calcium carbide and water to produce the gas at very low pressures. The same principle was used for miner lamps.

When ever my Grandmother was getting ready to wash clothes, my Dad would start it for her. by the time I came along, in 1947, they had a newer, "plug in" model washer But, of course, the dryer, was a set ot clothesline poles, w/wire strung from pole to pole.

On that welder, I remember that there was a valve, I guess, at the top, with 2 handles sticking out, that were used, to adjust the amount of water needed with the carbide, to produce the gas. My Dad & Granddad, produce to really good welds with that one. Only, they had to clean it out, ever so often and as I said, it had a smell, that stunk to high heaven!

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Author Topic: An ultimate trailer? (Read 2667 times)