Bike trailer build

[Stickystuff]

Morning all, I’m new to the forum so I thought I’d introduce myself and show you what I’ve been working on.

I’ve been welding on and off for the best part of 15 years with big gaps between so I’m far from professional. I used to weld up old campervans for MOTs and did the odd project here and there but I’ve been out of the workshop for nearly 10 years so not done a huge amount.

Currently got myself a track day booked in for the 6th June, I’d normally borrow a van from work but decided I wanted to sort myself out and rather than buy something I wanted to make something. It’s mostly from scrap around my work so other than time it’s pretty much free and I’ve been able to use the workshop welder too working early before work and in my lunch breaks. I work 1-4 Saturdays so this started on my last Saturday, making it just over 4 weeks in the making on and off.

I had this ‘3’ bike trailer I bought last year to do up but it’s badly warped where it’s had no support and rather then rebuild I thought it would be stronger and longer lasting to make my own.

I had a swan neck draw bar from an old little trailer I used in my garage for a few years and thought it was perfect for this project. I also widened the axle section for more stability.

Added some axle mounting plates from eBay and some triangulation for strength.
Next I made a framework for the bike to actually sit on and means I can modify it in future without having to cut the axle up too much if I decided.

It’s all welded on the floor so not perfectly flat but it’s straight enough. Annoyingly I cut the nose section slightly short on one side and on side is further back than the other but they’re level so not horrendous

 

[Stickystuff]

Next I added some tie down points using an old gate which I cut up to use and added mudguard mounting points too

I had some old mini wheels with trailer tyres on from an old towing dolly, I sold the dolly and the wheels with it but kept 2 for me as I knew I’d probably use them at some point.

To attach the two half’s I made some mounting ‘cups’ from some rectangle box section cutting and folding the tops over then welding and shaping with the grinder for twin run off essentially. I welded these onto the axle section with the top frame on top to ensure they are in the right position.
Next I painted the lower section all around and just the bottom half of the upper frame. This allowed some paint between the two half’s hopefully protecting from corrosion.

I lifted the top part in place and ground back the paint for the mounting cups and welded the two half’s together. That’s as far as I’ve got this morning. Next to paint and add the axles and muchguards on and the ball hitch.
I need to figure out a mounting point for the light board as I ended up welding a hook point for the ramp.

I need to make a ramp but ideally I need to attach it to my car to check how the trailer sits and then I’ll decided how long I make the ramp.

 

[Robotstar5]

Fit a "tongue" to the rear of the trailer board that drops into the ramp hook?

 

[Stickystuff]

That’s a good idea. I ended up drilling a couple of 10mm bolts through the lower part of the frame and chopped a little section out of the board to allow for the ramp hook.

The trailer sits ever so slightly tilted back and is quite high off the ground but it means the bike sits up tall and visible in my rear view mirror.

I didn’t realise until I bolted it up but the light board is over to the right
Never mind I can change it.

I brought it home to test it out and got my road bike on for a short road test. It all appears to be working very stable and not too bouncy. I took it to the local garage to pump up the tyres and also tested the balance. I could lift the trailer off the car with the bike on but it would want to go back on the car on its own so I think it’s pretty well balanced.
The rear tyre is pretty wide and sits in the angle iron nicely so it holds itself upright.

I think it could do with a proper front wheel chock though so will either make one or buy one and fit in.
Next up to make a ramp to secure on the trailer. The woods ok but not ideal.

 

[Robotstar5]

I got a pair of generic ramps for my trailer and used a clevis pin pushed through from the outside

And secured with an R clip inside, may give you some ideas?

 

[Erie Fred]

Tongue weight sounds maybe a bit light.
10% is the number I've always heard.

 

[Turbo]

Don't forget to fit a number plate!

 

[carbonarc]

How much did it cost to have the trailer IVA tested to be able to use it on the public highway?

 

[addjunkie]

Im going to suggest an extra strap to stop the back end bouncing up…..speed humps, pot holes etc can be a nuisance!

 

[Bobupndown]

Top work, centre that light board though it's playing havoc with my ocd.
There must be more Mini wheels on trailers than on actual Minis these days

 

[RonMig]

How much did it cost to have the trailer IVA tested to be able to use it on the public highway?

The original 3-bike trailer is probably older than 2012 so IVA not needed (?)


I boarded mine, so I could safely walk it up rather than stretch up from ground level within the frame trip hazard

 

[E T]

I've transported 100's of bikes in my youger years when I worked at a motorcycle dealership.
Put your straps over the bottom triple clamp instead of the handle bars and then pull the suspension as far down as possible.
If the straps interfere with the front mudguard your lashing point are too close.

 

[Red'n'Black]

Top work, centre that light board though it's playing havoc with my ocd.
There must be more Mini wheels on trailers than on actual Minis these days

<waves>

Finally got mine back on the road after replacing all the rotten bits.

Finding a tyre place that will fit anything onto 10" rims is quite hard these days.

 

[Gragson]

I've transported 100's of bikes in my youger years when I worked at a motorcycle dealership.
Put your straps over the bottom triple clamp instead of the handle bars and then pull the suspension as far down as possible.
If the straps interfere with the front mudguard your lashing point are too close.

Used this way to transport in vans with anchor points also.
And on the bike bench for long jobs