Trailer ideas

[alexanderfoti]

Hi all

I am thinking of building/adapting a trailer for my diesel bike so I can carry a few more things on it.

Wat are any body's thoughts on this? I would probably fabricate a u shaped piece of metal to attach to the back end of the swingarm and then a tow hitch on the end of that.

I'm thinking building would be better but what are the laws etc?

[coachgeo]

All you would ever want to know about hacks and trailers can be found in the below link to Adventure Rider Hack/Trailer etc. forum. Just search that forum for Trailer. IMHO consider joining that Bulletin board for it is full of good info. Some snippy attitudes too but the info is worth it.

http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56

[alexanderfoti]

Great, I will have a look.

[gilburton]

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-motorcycle
I know it probably won't affect single cylinder diesels but you are also limited to 50mph on A roads and 60mph on dual carriageways/motorways!!

[alexanderfoti]

Thanks for that, that's the kind of info I was looking for. 50mph is about its top speed with an empty trailer I'm sure heb

[sbrumby]

The gov site tells you the basics. A one wheel trailer only requires 1 reflective triangle everything else has to have two. A two wheel trailer is pushing your bike the wrong way when braking and turning at the same time, a single wheel trailer is always behind the bike.

also have a look at http://www.singlewheel.com/

[alexanderfoti]

That's the kind of think I was thinking of! A 2 wheel trailer is better for weight distribution when towing but like you say but not so good for Handling and shifting weight.

However with a 2 wheel trailer you have to have an attachment that allows the trailer to stay level but he bike lean.

With a one wheel trailer it just needs to be attached to the bike with a 4 way hinge (ala universal joint)

Each has its pros and cons. I wouldn't be carrying much weight. Wouldn't be able to with 10 hp anyway!

[sbrumby]

Also another point I missed saying, when riding on our roads you naturally pick the best bit of road, free of potholes. Much harder to do with a two wheeled trailer. All trailers have to have suspension, if you make a two wheeled trailer and use indespension units, the lightest ones are still meant for carring weight, so with hardly any weight they dont move makeing the trailer bounce, this has a big effect on something that must be 1 meter or less.

[coachgeo]

If your not carrying that much look into making some Panniers and a top box. Tank bag for little things?

[alexanderfoti]

If your not carrying that much look into making some Panniers and a top box. Tank bag for little things?

I already have a a top box, but it's often not enough. I run a home computer repair business on the side of my business repair business and it would be helpful to be able to collect computers etc without strapping to the bike.

I would also use it for camping a fair bit.

[coachgeo]

If your not carrying that much look into making some Panniers and a top box. Tank bag for little things?

I already have a a top box, but it's often not enough. I run a home computer repair business...

Got tya........ so a Pannier "might could work. the largest Home computer case is about the size of a pannier. Could see a top box made to fit a home computer too. Look at boxes made for Adventure bikes. Seen top boxes pretty large too




or make the boxes (or trailer) in a way that helps sell your side bizz

[tappy]

Having carted many amplifiers etc to gigs in trailors (behind cars) over several years I can tell you that the poor suspension on trailers causes a great deal of harm to electrical and electronic items. Not sure your customers computers will benefit from being carried in a trailer. They're not very heavy, so I'd go with the suggestion of making racks that can carry them on the actual bike - the better ratio of sprung to un-sprung weight will give them a far easier time.

[Eddy Wane]

I use my bike for work and regularly carry a socket set, small tool box, antennae, cable and then the customer items I am fitting. All of these went onto the Beemer in the panniers and a specially converted ali box on the back. The current bike a Deauville cannot carry as much yet until I modify the ali box. I thought of the trailer idea but the extra length and less manoeverability problems (parking) made me decide to stick to using the bike only. The largest item I have safely carried is a radio test set at 20kgs. I made a frame that started over the topbox mount and finished covering the passenger seat. No pictures of it unfortunatly it just stops you having a passenger.
There is a bike in London, Pan I think, from an air con company and they carry a telescopic ladder on the back straddling the number plate plus boxes. Then there is the fire bike fitted with extinguishers.
It is amazing what you can hang where without making the bike dangerous just get a local bike copper to give it the once over.

[gilburton]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keith-Gold-Co ... 19e3f97af7

Another idea might be to just buy an aluminium flight case??
Plenty on ebay it's just a matter of getting the size you require to suit a computer?
Most of the cases come with foam so just need trimming and if you make up some fittings so that the case can be removed from the bike you could also transport the computer door to door safely?
Here is an example but if you search for "aluminium flight case" on ebay I'm sure you'll find something?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITRONIC-12-V ... 2c759b847f

[Mouse]

I use a standard ball hitch for my two wheeled trailer and it works just fine. OK so if the bike falls over it will pull the trailer with it but I live with that. I've seen others who make a separate swivel joint in the drawbar of the trailer but I've not followed that.
I've also made a flatbed trailer for the bike which I use a lot. for both two wheeled trailers I've basically taken a old standard 8" wheeled car trailer and cut them down to 1m wide
And as someone else said the vibration is much more than you'd expect so watch sensitive equipment or things that will show chafe marks if they vibrate against each other. Having said that I've carried PCs and electronics wrapped in blankets with no ill affects.

I've used these trailers for several years behind several bikes including on long motorway journeys and never had any interest from the police with one exception. Which was when stopped by the police with virtually no lighting on the trailer and no mudguards and I got a ticket for that. You may have seen it on TV



I also have made a 1 wheeled trailer using a cortina prop shaft UJ. Pulled like a dream.

[alexanderfoti]

Haha excellent! Yes I did see that on TV I have come to the conclusion that in London, for errands and carrying more etc that it's not the best idea for many reason, more on bike storage is better.

If I where doing longer journeys etc then I may Re consider.