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no-weld bike trailer

Topic Type: 
Question

I am thinking about building a trailer for a farm bike that does not involve any welding. Does anyone have any plans? We have some old bike wheels, wooden boards, bolts, etc., but the axle and connection to an old mountain bike are some stocking points that I haven't really "wrapped my head around." I was going to start something on Sketchup, but thought I'd check here to see if there are any resources out there already. We tried a couple renditions already, with some 2x4s and a wheelbarrow, and er, uh, no success.

dorn's picture

Welcome to Farm Hack! I have seen some amazing stuff done with all wooden wheelbarrows using laminates and some with steam bending. I have seen some bent aluminum tubing frames stiffened with light weight plywood as well. For attaching to the bike, I would look to the bike forums - I am sure it has been well explored.

joshvolk's picture

I've used a few different trailers over the years and I'm in the process of developing a (welded) farm cart that also has a tongue for hauling with a bike (farmhandcarts.com). If you're looking at something that doesn't require welding check out Bluesky trailer hitches, which use a piece of rubber strapping and a pin to mount to the seat post. Human Powered Machines' Hauler trailer uses a great quick disconnect ball joint that can be purchased. You still need to figure a way to clamp it onto the bike, but it's a great set up. Hitching the trailer at the seatpost isn't optimal for bike geometry in theory, but in practice I've found it to work fine, and it makes it easier to hitch, as well as easier to move the trailer around when it's not hitched to the bike. Without welding the frame I think that following the garden cart concept of bent thin wall EMT and chanel bolted to plywood is probably your best bet.